Quick Trip to Knox Mountain
This afternoon Hanz, W1JSB and I made a quick trip to Knox Mountain. We operated for less than 10 minutes and made one QSO each… with Spain and West Virginia. Then we headed home. Hanz caught a shot of me on the bridge. You’ve got to be careful where you step because there are some large holes that go straight through.
We didn’t get started until after two and already the sun was low. The temperature was in the mid-40s. We hiked along the brook toward the north and east.
About a quarter of a mile from the cabin, we jumped across some rocks because the old bridge at that end is gone. It’s always a treat to catch a glimpse of the pond and the cabin on the opposite shore.
We arrived a little before 3:00 pm. I tossed a line over a 40 foot branch on the old cherry tree at the edge of the pond. I hauled up a 33 foot wire to use on 20 meters. I sat right under the branch so the wire would be vertical. I used the Elecraft T-1 tuner and connected the ATS-4. I powered the rig with 8 AA cells. We were putting out about 4 watts. As soon as I turned on the rig I heard EA3DD calling CQ. Manu in Spain came right back to me. We completed a quick exchange. I was 559, he was 599. I was ecstatic at such a quick contact. Then I handed the Palm Paddle and the earphones to Hanz.
In less than a minute he answered a CQ sent by W8PBO in West Virginia. Art gave Hanz a 569 and he was 599. They chatted for a couple of minutes and signed. We packed up. Already the temperature had dropped almost 5 degrees.
Jim very nice shots of the trip and nice work with the wire antenna. Our temps up this way drop to -5C at night and about +4 during the day. Having said that for some reason (a good reason) the temps on Sunday were at +16 and on Monday it hit +18 but reality sunk in real fast on Tuesday.
Mike
VE3WDM
I love these stories. Keep them coming!
72 de AA1IK
Ernest Gregoire
Thanks for the nice comments guys! Before long we’ll be on skis…
Jim W1PID
Jim, As Usual, the photography is Breathtaking and the story line fantastic. I have always enjoyed your trip reports. Apparently you have yet to wear out the 33ft wire!!!
72 Alex K5UNY