’05 FOBB REFLECTIONS:
Buzzing on Mary's Rock

June, 2006

The Flight of the Bumblebees 2005 was my belated Father's day gift from the family. After thinking about where to go for a few weeks I decided that Mary's Rock in Shenandoah National Park near Luray Virginia would be a great place to setup. My boys and I have hiked to the peak many times and it has a 360 degree view so it seemed ideal. Could not decide which radio to take (ATS3 or K2) so I packed the K2 in my backpack and the ATS3 in a fanny back and then realized that I had no more room for water and food. Ah ha, I sez to my boys, one of you is coming on this little hike. So my oldest got the duty to pack up the food and water.

We made it to the top in 50 minutes. It's about 1.8 miles with a 1200 ft ascent. We were tired! After resting for a few minutes I extended the 20 foot crappie pole to hold the wire antenna. Ended up using a 50 foot inverted L with the peak about 3514 feet up (a little help from the mountain). Laid a 16 foot radial on the ground and tuned it up. Had good SWR on 40 and 20 but 15 was high. Made it on the air about 15 minutes after the start. Tried 15 and actually made a few q's there! Bulk of the work was on 20 and 40. Had a great time listening and scanning. Actually called CQ a few times but did not get much action that way so went back to search and pounce. Screwed up one QSO on 15 when I inadvertantly bumped the tuning knob and lost the frequency where someone was calling CQ. Sorry. Otherwise had a good time and had q's from all over. Forty was really noisy but 20 sounded good. Heard from a few folks I would not normally be able to hear the house so that was real nice. While at the peak we saw a buzzard . . .

and the view was fantastic.

There were a few clouds and the sun was behind them most of the time so it was very comfortable in our shorts and t-shirts. Ended up using the K2.

For the contest, although next time I plan on taking only the ATS3 so the pack is lighter. Already thinking about next year and wondering where I can get that might be higher. Hmmmmmmm...
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Mike Harnage, W1MT, is an avid QRPer and field operator living in Woodbridge, VA.