June 19th – 21 stations worked on FSK441 from here in Miles City, MT (DN76cj) this morning. No Es yet, but we're watching. We may stay here another day if I can conjure up a band opening. Here's what our current camping situation looks like:
June 18th – I took the truck and gear out to the DN65/DN75 border this morning. 18 stations worked on FSK441. I looked east quite a bit, but only W5WE worked and N8JX heard in that direction. Some cockpit problems, and this new laptop does a poor job of keeping time – I finally broke out the GPS and got it right. Some Es last night, for something like 15 contacts, I did work XE2S. Breaking camp and on to DN76 today. Pit stop in Broadus, MT for gasoline, Internet, and rodeo.
June 17th
– DN65wn – Brief Es opening last night
after dinner. This morning saw excellent FSK441 activity both east
and west (pointing south is a problem). Seventeen stations worked
including K9CT worked. We're beyond Internet range, but folks seemed
to follow me fine on FSK441. I try to split my calling between east
and west. More heavy rain last night that sent the SWR to 2:1, but
Red Shale Campground is lovely.
I plan to take the gear in the
truck and activate DN75 from the Wilbur Creek Road tomorrow morning,
then on to DN76 and the Chinese Buffet in Miles City!
June 16th
– Yesterday was a pretty good day. We put DN65
and DN66 on FSK441 and made some meteor scatter contacts out to 950
miles. No Es however. Today we'll sit here in DN66sg until mid-day
and then move down to DN75. Big storm here last night, and the rain
static finally drove us off the air.
I worked stations this
morning on FSK441, one was out past 1,000 miles, so it was well worth
breaking the amp out.
The Plan:
Joyce and I will
leave Bozeman, Montana June 15th on our first trip and head direct to
Eastern Montana intending to activate grids DN65, DN75, DN76, DN77,
DN78, DN68, DN58 on 6 meters. There is lots of
flooding going on out in that country so our plans may change to fit
the circumstances. I'll use this web site to keep you
informed.
A second trip is planned for DN46, DN47, and DN48 later in the summer. With a third trip to far western Montana possible.
Equipment:
K3, with a 700
watt amp, and 4 element Yagi. Internet via Mi-Fi 3G modem. Modes CW,
SSB, FSK441.
Operating
Details:
Meteor Scatter FSK441 – I'll be on most morning
from 1230 UTC, if no Internet access I'll call CQ D10 50.260 Mhz, and
when I think folks have me spotted I'll stay on 50.250 Mhz. With
Internet access I'll come up on Ping Jockey and let folks know I'm on
50.250 Mhz and open for business.
Es – If it's marginal I'll be on CW around 50.098 Mhz +-, switching to SSB around 50.150 Mhz when I sense I can run. If I have Internet access I'll come up on the ON4KST 6 Meter chat.
I'll always just use plain "KB7Q" as my call sign. Power will vary from 100 to 700 watts depending how early/late I can run the generator for the amp.
E-Mail contact: geneshea AT gmail.com.
QSL info:
My QRZ.COM address is fine, SASE
please. LoTW uploads too.
73,
Gene,
KB7Q