FOBB ’04: HIGH ADVENTURE ON A CRAZY DAY

For FOBB ’04, I went back up to Dark Springs Mountain in the Uwharrie National Forest (near Asheboro, NC) where I did Field Day. Crazy day. I fixed breakfast for my XYL at 7 a.m., did cleanup and setup for a guest singing group at a local outdoor worship center at 9 a.m. service / performance.

I grabbed a ham biscuit and Coke and headed for site at noon, where I climbed a 300' hill and arrived very sweaty at 12:35 p.m. I got everything unpacked and set up by 12:50 p.m.! The bands didn't sound very good but I could hear a few signals on 20 and 40. Who forgot to turn the lights back on after the solar flare?

I still had loads of fun in my first FOBB. The strongest signal was WA9TZE by far. Farthest station worked was K7TQ in ID. Farthest station heard was K6III in CA working someone else. I tried calling several times but nil. VE3s were surprisingly strong on both 20 and 40. Worked N7SR and N4HAY on two bands and should have gotten AA1MY, but Seab got away from me on 40. I guess we shouldn't complain given the conditions!

Used my Elecraft K2 at 5 watts, Emtech ZM-2 tuner, 90' dipole up 60' fed with Radio Shack twinlead, on the mountain top at 875' in tall trees about 300' above average surrounding terrain.

It was great fun, but let's pray for better conditions next year!
* * * * * * * * * *
Bill Tippett, W4ZV, is an experienced outdoorsman and QRPer living in New London, NC.



	FOBB ’04: High Adventure on a Crazy Day
		By Bill Tippett, W4ZV Special to The ARS Sojourner
For FOBB ’04, I went back up to Dark Springs Mountain in the Uwharrie National Forest (near Asheboro, NC) where I did Field Day. Crazy day. I fixed breakfast for my XYL at 7 a.m., did cleanup and setup for a guest singing group at a local outdoor worship center at 9 a.m. service / performance. I grabbed a ham biscuit and Coke and headed for site at noon, where I climbed a 300' hill and arrived very sweaty at 12:35 p.m. I got everything unpacked and set up by 12:50 p.m.! The bands didn't sound very good but I could hear a few signals on 20 and 40. Who forgot to turn the lights back on after the solar flare? I still had loads of fun in my first FOBB. The strongest signal was WA9TZE by far. Farthest station worked was K7TQ in ID. Farthest station heard was K6III in CA working someone else. I tried calling several times but nil. VE3s were surprisingly strong on both 20 and 40. Worked N7SR and N4HAY on two bands and should have gotten AA1MY, but Seab got away from me on 40. I guess we shouldn't complain given the conditions! Used my Elecraft K2 at 5 watts, Emtech ZM-2 tuner, 90' dipole up 60' fed with Radio Shack twinlead, on the mountain top at 875' in tall trees about 300' above average surrounding terrain. It was great fun, but let's pray for better conditions next year! * * * * * * * * * * Bill Tippett, W4ZV, is an experienced outdoorsman and QRPer living in New London, NC.