By Pete Heins-N6ZE
On Wednesday evening, April 22, 2020, the 70 cm Spring SPRINT served as a “highlight of the day” to escape today’s issues. The weather was great: T-shirt weather, with calm winds and great visibility. The activity level was a pleasant surprise with many stations worked throughout Ventura County.
Many were Public Service Members of Ventura County. RACES/ACS/ARES, the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) and the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society (VCARS) all participated in the event. At least one operator hiked to the top of a hill to operate and I observed a couple of husband and wife teams. My best DX was with K6TSK in Anaheim, CA (DM03xt). Due to my lower than optimum elevation, I did not have much luck in making contacts on the south side of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Thanks to everyone who got out for the 70 cm SPRINT, particularly those who participated for their first time! Please submit your score in order show that you participated in the event. The entry form is simple and takes only a minute to fill out.
N6ZE’s 70 cm data:
Operating time: 2 hours
Stations worked: WA6WDY, KK6YAM, AG6AG, AJ6MJ, WA6EJO, KM6B, AI6YR, K6UJO, N7WLC, WA6UZS, AE6JR, K6TSK, W6RH, N6VI, K6GL, KK6IKX, KK6RBW, W6KME, K6PVZ, W6JWP, W6CMY, N6IOZ, AB6ET
QSOs made: 23 (20 on FM and 3 on SSB)
Grids worked: 2 (DM03 and DM04)
Score: 46
Operating location: DM04nf on the ridge line of Wildwood Ave in Thousand Oaks. (The elevation approximately 900 ft MSL with various nearby hills obstructing UHF radio views. Partial solution was to operate from several spots.)
Equipment: Yaesu FT857 @ 20 watts, vertical 1/4 whip on roof of vehicle and 9 elements of a horizontally polarized M>2 yagi with rotator
On Tuesday evening, April 14, 2020 N6ZE participated in the 135 cm (222-225MHz) Spring SPRINT and made only seven contacts locally in Grid DM04. Very few stations were active and propagation conditions were not particularly good. In addition, I had possible feed line problems.
Operating time: 1.5 hours
Operating Location was near the 146.85 MHz repeater site on Grissom Peak. Two big water tanks greatly affected my radio view to the west.
Equipment: Yaesu FT-736, Mirage Brick amplifier, 8 element M>2 yagi with rotator
Two Spring SPRINT events remain to be held:
- The Microwave SPRINT (all frequencies 900MHz & up) on Saturday morning May 2, 2020.
- The Six Meter SPRINT (50 -54 MHz) on Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2020.
bt73
Pete Heins, N6ZE@aol.com