DX from the Winnipesaukee River

Today I hiked along the Winnipesaukee River. I worked Sweden, Slovenia and Russia. What a great hike!

trail

It’s a perfect spring day… 45F and the snow is melting! I hiked on the old rail right-of-way along the Winnipesaukee River. The river flows from Lake Winnipesaukee in Laconia to the Merrimack River in Franklin. The trail passes through some beautiful farm land.

farm

After about a mile I turned north toward the river. A piece of land juts out into the river. I setup on a large rock with a fantastic view. I’m using an HB-1B on 20 meters with a half-wave wire.

rock

I’m looking toward the east… that seems to be where the signals are coming from too. My first contact is with Steve SM4OTI in Sweden. He gives me a 599 and sends “HI” when I tell him I am running 4 watts. He’s running a KW to a 4 element beam. “UR doing FB WID 4W,” he sends. Of course, he is very strong to me. I’ve worked Steve nearly a dozen times over the years.

I move up the band a bit and answer S57KW. Jure in Slovenia doesn’t get my call sign on the first try, but he gives me a 559 report. “UR 4W QRP doing good job,” he sends.

Finally, I work Vlad RU6AV near Moscow. He gives me a 579. When I tell him I am running 4W /P, he asks about my antenna. I tell him it’s a 10 meter wire. “FB CONDX HI… UR 4W FB Jim.” Then he tells me he is running 200 watts to a 3 element yagi.

I have been operating for only 10 minutes. It’s exhilarating! A beautiful spring day… glorious river scenery and some nice DX for icing on the cake.

west

My view to the west is perfect. Hopefully we’re seeing the last of the snow. I’ll hike more often now that the days are getting warmer.

Jim Cluett, W1PID, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Hampshire, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

4 Responses to “DX from the Winnipesaukee River”

  • LarryW2LJ:

    Thanks again, Jim! As always, you’re such an inspiration. Time for me to get to the sporting goods store in order to buy a new roll of fishing line so I can replenish the line in my antenna launcher.

    72 de Larry W2LJ

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good morning Jim, very nice shots of the day out and yes spring is on it’s way….a little faster would be just fine with me. It’s supposed to go up to 10C up this way on the weekend. Maybe that’s just the right temp to get out and about with my KX3.
    Mike

  • AI4HO:

    Great story, some really beautiful scenery as well. Thanks for an inspiring story, wish I was still able to get out and about like that. Maybe someday when I get a new chair (the kind with wheels on it) I will once again be able to get out and about.

  • BOB LECH:

    Hi Jim,
    I just looked at your pictures and WOW!!!!! what beautiful shots.
    The rig looks like a HB1B?
    Can you please tell me what that round spool is?
    Looks to be to big for the average wire and there are some other things I just can’t make out.
    One thing looks like a wide padded belt.
    I can see myself in my Sea Eagle anchored right in the center wher the water looks shallow and moving slow.
    Looks like you had a good time.
    Have fun.
    GOD BLESS
    BOB AF2Q

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