WB3AAL on the AT

[WB3AAL]

Hi,

 Going out onto the Appalachian Trail now. I should be on
the
air between 11:30 and 12:30 UTC depend on where I can find
an operating spot on the AT. There is a lot of thru hikers
making their way up to Maine and I do not want to crowd them
on their trip.

Rig will be the Elecraft K1 @ 5w into a portable vertical.

I will be on or around the following freq.:

7030 / 7040 / 10116 / 14060 and I will give a couple of
calls on 21060 around 15:00 UTC.

I see we have a M Class Flare that will produce some minor
radio blackouts. Not sure which band I will start out on so
if you hear me or work me on HF CW please spot me on the
list.

We are expecting some afternoon storms so I might not be out
after 16:00 or 17:00 UTC at the latest.

I will be working on my 1,180 QSO's from the Appalachian
Trail. Still need MT and HI for WAS from the AT.

72 and Thanks,
Ron de WB3AAL

K1 - SN 01011
K2 - SN 01392


______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[WB3AAL]

Hello,

 I arrived at my operating location north of Strausstown, PA
where the Appalachian Trail and Rte.183 intersect. During my
short hike into the area I found a box turtle on the trail.
I took a couple of pictures and started to hike on the
trail. I bumped into a Thru hiker doing the entire
Appalachian Trail. He asked me a few questions and I was
happy to help the hiker. He asked me what I was doing with a
fishing pole and a small table. I told him that I was a Ham
Radio operator. That was a good 15 minute talk about the
hobby and what I have been working from the area. I took
down his e-mail address to a message to his wife.

I was on the air calling CQ by 12:00 UTC on 14.060. I knew
the bands were not in the best of shape but I did not hear
many signals. I switched to 10.117 around 12:14 UTC and
called CQ. No replies so I moved to 7.060, I really thought
I was on 15 meters.  :-o I worked Dain - NI9Y in IN. Wow,
signals were great until the QRN started rolling in on the
band. I moved down to 7.040 and worked Pail - N8XMS in MI
and Gene - W2BXR in SC. Everyone had the QSB and heavy QRN
from the storms in the East.

 I called CQ for a little while longer but I did not have
any luck. So I went back on 30 and 20m calling CQ. While
calling CQ I noticed the dark clouds rolling into the area.
I had cell phone coverage so I checked the radar. A large
heavy line of rain was just upon my location on the radar.
As soon as I closed the cell phone the rain started at 13:30
UTC. I packed up quickly and headed back to my car.

 The rain stopped for a little while and I debated about
going back and setting up. I took a short hike North bound
on the AT. When I got back to the car I notice all the
vehicles going south bound were wet and wipers were still
turned on. I got into my car and the rain was coming down. I
started my drive home around 14:00 UTC.

 Two of the three stations were running a K2 and a K3.

72 and Thanks,
Ron Polityka
WB3AAL

K1 - SN 01011
K2 - SN 01392

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html