For 2002 the ZL6LH team had it's sights set on Cape Reinga.
The team was John ZL1ALZ, John ZL1BYZ, David ZL1DK, and Dave ZL1AMN.
We travelled in one vehicle, and hired a covered trailer to carry the
bulk of the equipment. There was a lot of it this year as the accommodation
was an old wool shed with no power or water. We wanted to set up
3 complete stations. One for 80/40, for this we used a TS440S and
a trapped dipole. The second mainly for 20m. The antenna was
a 3 element triband yagi so it could go on 15m as well. The rig was a TS830S
with a SB200 amplifier. The 3rd station for 10m was a TS440S with
a SB200 amplifier and the antenna a 3 element yagi for 10m only.
We ran 2 DX4WIN computer logs mostly on 10 & 20m but sometimes swapping
to the 80/40m station. Head set boom mic’s and foot switches were
used as this made operating and logging real time an easy task. We
also took 2 generators and enough fuel to run them for the weekend.
Then there's the poles, guys, pegs, power leads, coax, beds, food, water
etc.
The trailer was picked up late on Thursday, equipment was collected
and most loaded that night at ZL1BYZ’s QTH in Paerata. Then at 5am
Friday all arrived at Paerata, last minute packing was completed
and we headed off on the 8 hour trip North to Cape Reinga. |
The trip went well with the 4x4 that David supplied making steady progress
towing all the equipment. We made a couple of brief stops for fuel
and a stretch. The final part following directions as best we could
we finally turned of the road onto a farm track, which seemed to be getting
worse the further we went. Then disaster, we were stuck in a boggy
patch. Doubt crept in if we were supposed to be going this way.
The trailer was unhitched and the towing vehicle was able to get out.
We then managed to tow the trailer backwards onto firmer ground.
The two David's went back to get some assistance from DOC and check we
going the right way. They returned with help and confirmed that the
shed ahead
was indeed our destination. The DOC vehicle made short work of
towing in our gear.
We started setting up. Things fell into place and while the old
wool shed was a bit basic compared to our accommodation for the last 3
years, it proved quite satisfactory. The 80/40 dipole and the
3 element triband band yagi went up and we settled in for the evening.
20 meters was going well and many contacts were made. Some activity
on 40 and 80m as well. We got checked out by a possum later in the
evening, finally he went away and did not return. Saturday we got
the 10m 3 element yagi up and settled into more contacts. Again 20m
was good in |
the evening. Sunday more contacts on all bands. Through out the
weekend we experienced strong winds and some rain We had to
do some repairs on the 20m beam. It proved interesting getting the
beam down . The two Johns untied the down wind guys and David started
to pull on the pole, which bowed but the beam stayed put. So we actually
had to walk around with the guys and pull the top over into the wind
until gravity took over. We found a couple of faults which were fixed,
then we found the balun suspect. It was replaced and the beam roared
back into life. Some contacts were made for the RD contest.
Activity on 20m was not so good that evening. Monday morning packing
up started while a last dash for contacts was made on 10m. At mid
day operating ceased and packing completed. Then off on the long
trip home. Some sandwiches and coffee had been packed. This
proved very enjoyable on some of the long hauls up some of the hills.
2 meters was set up in the vehicle Some enjoyable QSO’s were made
on the way, which also helped to pass away time. We only stopped once for
fuel and arrived back at Paerata about 7.30pm. A quick unpack and
sort out was done and each went of to their own QTH.
With a 977 QSO tally, no major equipment problems other than the 20m
beam, the weekend was a great success for ZL6LH 2002.
Where to in 2003???? |
