6M Meteor Scatter From DN44, Montana

August 26-28, 2020

Joyce and I were going out camping with the truck so I threw the IC-7300 and a 6M beam aboard for some meteor scatter fun. The first location at Beaver Creek was excellent for camping, but ringed by mountains - a very poor choice for meteors. We moved over to one of our all time favorite campgrounds at Bakers Hole just outside of Yellowstone Park and scored a prime spot with no obstructions in any direction.

Generally random meteor scatter conditions were fine and I made 23 contacts via MSK144, and was especially pleased to help W9RM, KY7M, and N7IR close in on their FFMA goal. I must say the IC-7300 continues to impress - both as a 6M radio and as the IF for my 222 MHz station's transverter.

Simple, 100 watt 6 Meter station in DN44kq.

Wyoming (DN44lw) 222 MHz EME

Date/Time: August 22, 2020 Moonrise over ridge @ 1730z
Call: KB7Q
QTH: DN44lw, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming
Frequency: 222.080 MHz MHz KB7Q always first, JT65b
Gear: IC-7300->xverter->800 watt SSPA. Long Yagi
Note: No Internet, but will indicate I'm headed out on the HB9Q Logger.

Another attempt to help guys knock off Wyoming.

I worked all I heard, but I need to hear more! The ride down to Yellowstone and the set up went smoothly. It was very, very smokey from the various fires around the west. For the first 1.5 hours I called CQ and watched a blank screen - finally Faraday moved off vertical polarity, and I started seeing and working folks. John, K1OR went into the log for his State #43. K5QE was the champ of the day with a -13 signal. Of course being near new moon and with the smoke I never actually saw the moon.

The new generator, #10 power cable, and being 2,500 feet lower in altitude this time meant I could see just under 300 watts more out of the amp. It was fun shoe-horning the gear into the car and being able to assemble and erect  the antenna in under 45 minutes thanks to my new, ladder-less system. LoTW fed.

Worked: K1OR (-24), W4ZST (-22), K7ULS (-15 tropo), K5QE (-13), and VE6TA (-19).

Bighorn Pass Trailhead - There are actually mountains out there in the smoke.

 

Backseat station: IC7300->Q5 transverter->LDMOS amp. Power supplies on the floor.

Marshall is simply LOUD! Four minutes and done.