As I approached the area, the darkest clouds in the sky were toward the northwest--the direction of my hilltop destination. Upon arrival, the sun was out and the rain was coming down at the same time. I leveled the rover vehicle and the rain stopped within 5 minutes (and would stay away for the rest of my time there, luckily). The antennas were hoisted into the air and turned north, the rotor controller reset to zero degrees, and I was on the air.
I worked a bunch of local contacts, then in the second hour AF5Q/R popped in there from EM04 on 6m, making my first e-skip contact a rover-to-rover contact. For a second year in a row I tried several times to work KB0HH EM06 but the pileup on their end must have been too large to hear the weak ones, so I had to move away and call CQ instead. That was a good move, as several midwest stations began answering me, and I even worked into the DM field a couple times. The sporadic-E moved north, so I picked up a few new grids in the EN field. Then as I turned the antennas east to answer AF1T, I started getting called by DX stations. I worked two stations in the Canary Islands and even heard EA8CZT/Portable calling CQ. A few moments later while calling CQ beaming east, I was answered by CT1HZE in Portugal and picked up a second new country and grid. Thank goodness the severe wx forced me to bring the Moxon--an antenna which has a low takeoff angle even at low mounting heights. The last signal I heard before packing up to go home was VE1YX FN74. A few CQs on 146.550 simplex yielded nothing, and I was on my way.
Sunday morning brought an investigative trip to a new FN12 hilltop. This one does not have a concrete building blocking signals to the east like my usual site. I brought the larger system with me Sunday, a 3-el yagi on 6m and a stacked pair of 6-el yagis for 2m (photo). Once again, I started by working local stations, and then 6m opened up. This time it was mostly to the southeastern US, and a couple contacts further west. There was interference being generated by the commercial gear on this hilltop, mostly on 6m but some on 2m also. The signal strength of the QRN got as high as S5 on 6m when pointed at the tower and buildings, making weak signal contacts impossible, and I may have missed some as a result. Two meters fared better; receiver desense was actually more of a problem than QRN. Even so, I managed to work into EN93 on both bands. Perhaps the most impressive contact from here was on 2m with a 50w station on Long Island who said FN12 was a new grid for him. More operating from this site with various antenna designs is needed to determine whether to rely on it or not for future contests, but one thing's for sure: The performance to the east is vastly improved over my old FN12 site. Unfortunately, a few calls on 146.550 on the mobile whip yielded nothing again.
The final grid activation was the usual FN22 site in the clear, meaning no foliage to absorb 2m signals. So, not
surprisingly, 2m performed the best from this site: half of my contacts were on 2m versus 35 percent from FN12 and only 23
percent from FN23. Plus there was no 6m opening to draw attention away from 2m. I ended up reaching more grids on 2m than on
6m from here--something that does not happen very often. Line scores are posted
here.
POINTS SUMMARY
From Band QSOs QSO pts. Mults.
----------------------------------------------
FN23 50 48 48 31
144 11 22 8
FN12 50 40 40 28
144 14 28 11
FN22 50 23 23 11
144 22 44 13
----------------------------------------------
TOTALS 158 205 102
--- Claimed score = 20,910 ---
LOG
START-OF-LOG: 2.0 LOCATION: WNY CALLSIGN: N2SLN/R CATEGORY: ROVER ALL HIGH CLAIMED-SCORE: 20910 CONTEST: CQ-VHF CREATED-BY: WA7BNM Web2Cabrillo 1.12 NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: EMAIL: OPERATORS: SOAPBOX: QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1839 N2SLN/R FN23 KC2SFU/R FN23 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1841 N2SLN/R FN23 KC2SFU/R FN23 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1849 N2SLN/R FN23 NA2X FN13 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1852 N2SLN/R FN23 W2CCC FN23 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1853 N2SLN/R FN23 W2CCC FN23 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1854 N2SLN/R FN23 K2ZD FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1856 N2SLN/R FN23 N2ZN FN13 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1858 N2SLN/R FN23 K2SSS FN13 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1859 N2SLN/R FN23 N2BEG FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1859 N2SLN/R FN23 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1903 N2SLN/R FN23 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1906 N2SLN/R FN23 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1908 N2SLN/R FN23 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1913 N2SLN/R FN23 W2CNS FN13 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1918 N2SLN/R FN23 N2JJ FN33 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1919 N2SLN/R FN23 WA2GSX FN13 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1920 N2SLN/R FN23 K2PK FN23 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1924 N2SLN/R FN23 K2QO/R FN22 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1926 N2SLN/R FN23 K2QO/R FN22 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 1927 N2SLN/R FN23 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1928 N2SLN/R FN23 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1929 N2SLN/R FN23 K1IED FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1949 N2SLN/R FN23 W3UR FM19 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 1958 N2SLN/R FN23 AF5Q/R EM04 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2008 N2SLN/R FN23 NA2NY FN33 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 2010 N2SLN/R FN23 NA2NY FN33 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2011 N2SLN/R FN23 WB2SIH/R FN33 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2024 N2SLN/R FN23 K5WG EM26 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2038 N2SLN/R FN23 K0HA EN10 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2041 N2SLN/R FN23 KC0FU EN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2041 N2SLN/R FN23 W0WOI EN22 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2043 N2SLN/R FN23 KQ0J EN11 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2044 N2SLN/R FN23 WD0DMO EN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2046 N2SLN/R FN23 K5ZG DM88 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2047 N2SLN/R FN23 KF0M EM17 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2050 N2SLN/R FN23 AC0RA EN41 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2057 N2SLN/R FN23 N0MA EN42 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2107 N2SLN/R FN23 K2AXX FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2108 N2SLN/R FN23 N0URW EN41 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2108 N2SLN/R FN23 WA0VPJ EN35 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2109 N2SLN/R FN23 N0SMX DM79 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2109 N2SLN/R FN23 N0KK EN35 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2110 N2SLN/R FN23 AC0TA EN34 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2112 N2SLN/R FN23 N9DG EN53 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2122 N2SLN/R FN23 WV9E EN43 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2130 N2SLN/R FN23 AF1T FN43 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 2130 N2SLN/R FN23 AF1T FN43 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2132 N2SLN/R FN23 EA8BPX IL18 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2135 N2SLN/R FN23 K1TOL FN44 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2136 N2SLN/R FN23 K1TR FN32 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2137 N2SLN/R FN23 K2QO/R FN23 QSO: 144 CW 2013-07-20 2139 N2SLN/R FN23 K2QO/R FN23 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2141 N2SLN/R FN23 CT1HZE IM57 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2142 N2SLN/R FN23 N1JEZ FN44 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2143 N2SLN/R FN23 EA8CQS IL18 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2151 N2SLN/R FN23 K3CT FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-20 2155 N2SLN/R FN23 VE3ZV EN92 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-20 2156 N2SLN/R FN23 VE3ZV EN92 QSO: 144 CW 2013-07-20 2216 N2SLN/R FN23 K2OS FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1207 N2SLN/R FN12 K1TOL FN44 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1209 N2SLN/R FN12 K2ZD FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1211 N2SLN/R FN12 W3EP FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1212 N2SLN/R FN12 N4ZQ EL88 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1214 N2SLN/R FN12 NJ2F EL96 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1220 N2SLN/R FN12 N2DCH/R FN21 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1222 N2SLN/R FN12 N2DCH/R FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1224 N2SLN/R FN12 KI4DJG EM82 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1225 N2SLN/R FN12 N4VHF EM70 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1227 N2SLN/R FN12 W2BZY EL98 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1232 N2SLN/R FN12 WA2GSX FN13 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1233 N2SLN/R FN12 K4BAI EM72 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1234 N2SLN/R FN12 NC2V EL98 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1235 N2SLN/R FN12 AJ4GC EL96 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1236 N2SLN/R FN12 WQ5L EM50 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1240 N2SLN/R FN12 KJ4E EL98 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1241 N2SLN/R FN12 N1GEL EL87 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1243 N2SLN/R FN12 N1BCL FN34 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1248 N2SLN/R FN12 N9FTC EL79 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1253 N2SLN/R FN12 N2AMC FN30 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1254 N2SLN/R FN12 K1PXE FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1259 N2SLN/R FN12 VE3MMQ FN14 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1301 N2SLN/R FN12 K1IED FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1304 N2SLN/R FN12 K1WHS FN43 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1304 N2SLN/R FN12 K1TO EL87 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1313 N2SLN/R FN12 KI6EAB EL88 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1313 N2SLN/R FN12 W5GJ EL87 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1315 N2SLN/R FN12 KD5M EM60 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1315 N2SLN/R FN12 WY5I EL97 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1318 N2SLN/R FN12 K3ARR FN10 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1330 N2SLN/R FN12 VE3JVG FN03 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1340 N2SLN/R FN12 W4YBV EL89 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1341 N2SLN/R FN12 K3NXH EL96 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1343 N2SLN/R FN12 K2QO/R FN23 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1344 N2SLN/R FN12 K2QO/R FN23 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1346 N2SLN/R FN12 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1347 N2SLN/R FN12 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1349 N2SLN/R FN12 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1351 N2SLN/R FN12 K1WHS FN43 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1400 N2SLN/R FN12 KA2EKI FN13 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1410 N2SLN/R FN12 K2OS FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1414 N2SLN/R FN12 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1418 N2SLN/R FN12 VE3XTM EN93 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1421 N2SLN/R FN12 VE3OIL EN93 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1427 N2SLN/R FN12 N2RR FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1440 N2SLN/R FN12 W3SO FN00 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1447 N2SLN/R FN12 W3SO FN00 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1451 N2SLN/R FN12 W1XX FN41 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1452 N2SLN/R FN12 W4RX FM19 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1508 N2SLN/R FN12 K3ZO FM18 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1517 N2SLN/R FN12 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1518 N2SLN/R FN12 W4RX FM19 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1520 N2SLN/R FN12 N5JR EM12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1522 N2SLN/R FN12 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1756 N2SLN/R FN22 NA2NY FN33 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1757 N2SLN/R FN22 NA2NY FN33 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1803 N2SLN/R FN22 K1HC FN42 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1804 N2SLN/R FN22 K1HC FN42 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1807 N2SLN/R FN22 K2PLF FM19 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1810 N2SLN/R FN22 AB3CV FM19 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1818 N2SLN/R FN22 K2QO/R FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1820 N2SLN/R FN22 K2QO/R FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1822 N2SLN/R FN22 W1MR FN43 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1822 N2SLN/R FN22 W1MR FN43 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1824 N2SLN/R FN22 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1825 N2SLN/R FN22 K1TEO FN31 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1840 N2SLN/R FN22 WS2E FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1841 N2SLN/R FN22 WS2E FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1842 N2SLN/R FN22 W1AN FN41 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1843 N2SLN/R FN22 W1AN FN41 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1845 N2SLN/R FN22 W2KV FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1846 N2SLN/R FN22 W2KV FN20 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1847 N2SLN/R FN22 KE2DN/R FN12 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1853 N2SLN/R FN22 W2XL FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1854 N2SLN/R FN22 W2XL FN21 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1858 N2SLN/R FN22 W3LL FM19 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1900 N2SLN/R FN22 K2LZQ FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1907 N2SLN/R FN22 KO2OK FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1909 N2SLN/R FN22 K2ZD FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1910 N2SLN/R FN22 K1IED FN31 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1913 N2SLN/R FN22 K2UNK FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1915 N2SLN/R FN22 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1916 N2SLN/R FN22 K2LIM FN12 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1924 N2SLN/R FN22 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1926 N2SLN/R FN22 K3ISH FN21 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1929 N2SLN/R FN22 K3JLM FN11 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1945 N2SLN/R FN22 K2AMI FN20 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1948 N2SLN/R FN22 K2AMI FN20 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 1958 N2SLN/R FN22 W3SO FN00 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 1959 N2SLN/R FN22 W3SO FN00 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 2001 N2SLN/R FN22 K3ZO FM18 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 2004 N2SLN/R FN22 AF1T FN43 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 2005 N2SLN/R FN22 AF1T FN43 QSO: 144 CW 2013-07-21 2020 N2SLN/R FN22 K2QO/R FN02 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 2022 N2SLN/R FN22 AB2YI/R FN02 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 2026 N2SLN/R FN22 W1XX FN41 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 2040 N2SLN/R FN22 W4RX FM19 QSO: 50 PH 2013-07-21 2051 N2SLN/R FN22 NF1O FN42 QSO: 144 PH 2013-07-21 2055 N2SLN/R FN22 VA3WU FN03 END-OF-LOG:
| N2SLN/R: A fringe rover in more ways than one. |