Date/Time: September 25 to October 3, 2024
Call: KB7Q always 1st sequence
QTH: BK29mn, Keeau, Big Island, Hawaii
Mode: Q65-60B CFOM 1500Hz DF
Frequency: 432.095 MHz
Gear: IC-9700, AGO Preamp, 500 watt SSPA, 1x 9wl Yagi
Internet: Will come up on the HB9Q Logger
Donors: KH6LC, PA3DZL, NC1I, N4DXN
It has been almost 8 years since I last activated Hawaii on 70cm. Time for another go during some pretty decent mutual moon windows to Europe. Shipping the gear over/back is spendy these days so any help is appreciated.
September 30, 2024
Dry and a lovely visible crescent moon until the sun came up. Worked EA5CJ (-26), K1WHS (-21) and VK4EME (-23). EA5CJ and VK4EME were new, so the final station count is 20. LoTW uploaded.
I lent KH6FA my SSPA amp, so he'll be on 70cm with 2x Yagis going forward.
September 29, 2024
Rain, rain go away! Never-the-less I worked DG5CST (-25), DK4RC (-23), and K1WHS (23). This brings my station count to 18. I ran with Cowles, K4EME for an hour, he peaked -18 but couldn't copy me no matter what polarity I tried. 😢
LoTW upload done.
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| The station on the lanai, well sheltered from the occasional showers. |
September 28, 2024
In a word 70cm was "DISMAL". Only OK1VUM re-worked.
I did get over to KH6FA's place and see his newly activated 23cm station. Nice that Hawaii now has a permanent 1296 MHz presence. Frank is working on his 70cm station also.
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| KH6FA is QRV on 23cm with a 2.4M dish and 300 watts. |
September 27, 2024
The dynamic duo of Digi-Key and Federal Express got the replacement power supply here from Minnesota in just under 24 hours from the time I placed the order. Some post-Covid things still work great!
A slow session, I only worked two new stations. Peter, PA2V worked me despite lightning strikes on his end that did pop the circuit breaker right after we completed. Logged: NC1I (-10), DL1VPL (-25), W6TCP (-21), PA2V (-18). LoTW updated.
September 25, 2024
Station set up went very well, and the moon came up thru the best opening in the trees right on schedule. I worked 13 stations, missed two, and gave PA3DZL State #46. Faraday rotation was the usual 70cm dance, but for the most part things would move off center every 30 minutes or so. Mr. Murphy sucked the life out of the amp's 48 vdc Meanwell power supply right at the end of the session. I'll not be on September 26th, but NH6Y will be from a portable spot on Maui.
There is a spare power supply on island, and in theory a replacement unit is being shipped FedEx over-night. We'll see ...
Worked: UA3PTW (-18), NC1I (-14), K5DOG (-23), UT6UG (-22), W5ZN (-23), DL1VPL (-23), PA3DZL (-20), UT5DL (-22), SM4GGC (-22), GD0TEP (-18), PA0BAT (-25), OK1VUM (-14), ON4AOI (-19). LoTW upload done.
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| Shooting the gap on moonrise at KH6LC's quiet QTH. |
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| A ham-helper came rustling out of the bushes. Feral hog! |