Soapbox for the 2005 Flight of the Bumblebees
Operated event from a small roadside park 33 km west of Talbotville on the old Highway #3 in south western Ontario (west of St. Thomas, Ontario). Rig used was an HW9, running 5W, into a G5RV antenna strung up in the trees, probably about 20-25 feet off the ground. Found out you cannot throw the weight as high as you might think you can. Managed to make a contact with most of those I called, frequencies around 7040 and 14060 seemed busy, did not check out the other bands. Really do need to work on my code speed though, biggest problem in working the event and the most frustrating part, would like to be able to copy at least 20 WPM but sure cannot do that now, 73 Al
KI4FW/BB
My first flight -- lot's of fun. My daughter and I took a hike in Lorton State Park on the Potomac River and set hoisted an inverted-V near at a lookout on the banks. We only operated for an hour, but got a dozen bees and had a good time. Next year, maybe somethign more adventurous. It's a great event. 73, Rich
KI6SN/BB
Circumstances dictated that I stay close to the hive today. So to keep in the spirit of FOBB, I hiked 7 miles with all the gear to operate in my own back yard. Used a NorCal-40 transceiver at 1 watt through a homebrew end-fed wire tuner feeding a 66-foot wire strung in an olive tree. A 33-foot counterpoise snaked along the ground under it. My thanks to the stations on 40 meters who pulled my signal out of the din. Conditions apparently weren't the best. But managed 7 contacts in three states. Worked two other bees. A tip of the hat to: KO6Z, K7ZI, N6NVP, K1USC, K6LG, AA6AV and WI6O. As always, a great event - even if this operator was within a honey jar's throw of his home QTH.
K6EU
Lots of fun and good code practice.
KK4R
I got on kind of late and missed most of the fun, but there were many stations on and propagation was pretty good. 15m deserved more attention. 20m was good when the fade went your way, and 40m was the most popular spot. Thanks to the bees for getting out there.
W2NED/BB
K2 and buddipole at 5 watts. Very much enjoyed my some what brief protable operation this year. Operated from the woods at Mendon Ponds Park near Rochester, NY. It was a very pleasant day except for the black flies.
AB4PP/BB
Had a grt time. Met some nw friends and tried like the dickens to wrk some stns I could hear and couldn't hear me. Started out to do BB in woods and rains came and washed that out. Came home and sat it out here. Propx was up and down and QSB took over quite a few times. Made initial ctc wid some stns and thn they faded away. Good part was that whn I made a 2nd ctc wid two of them they told me I was QSO b4 and tht meant I had gotten through. Used a wire in trees here at house and sat under a large umbrella on the deck. Did hot hike so it doesn't cnt for BB. Thanks to everyone for listening hard. Sure did enjoy the contest.
AC0S/BB
Great fun as always. Walked over to the local reservoir and set up on top of the dam. I heard signals from all over. I felt the bands were in pretty good shape. Took down the station a little early as the skies looked a little ominous. I had about half a dozen folks stop by and ask what I was doing. A couple were hams the rest just curious passersby. Thanks to all and especially to ARS. See ya'll next year. Colin - AC0S BB #32
K3PTC/BB
This was the first test of my newly consructed Elecraft KX1. My only previous QSO on this radio was with John Huffman NA8M, who encouraged me to join ARS.
I apologize to all for my poor operating skill, I am still getting used to operating a paddle instead of a straight key, and it shows. I was transmitting from the 1,282' summit of Sugarloaf Mountain in Frederick County, MD. Sugarloaf is a monadnock, a mountain that remains after the surrounding land erodes away. It stands about 800' above the surrounding picturesque farmland, and has beautiful views in all directions of the compass. Sugarloaf is the closest mountain to Washington DC and was used as a signal station during the Civil War.
My antenna consisted of a 42' end fed wire tossed up in a tree and 2 radials of 16' and 24', respectively.
K7TQ/BB
I set up in the forest near Moscow, ID after hauling what would better be described as a mule load than a bumble bee load. My K2 and a W7EL Field Day Special 20 m 2 element beam were the rig and antenna. The 1st hour was great with 43 Qs. Given the conditions recently, I had expected only 30 Qs for the entire contest. Best DX was Prince Edward Island. It was a good way to spend the day. Thanks to ARS for putting on another fine event.
K4KO
Unfortunately, I was unable to venture into the field so I did not use my Bee number. But still had fun on the back porch. Thanks all.
N3DRK
This was my first bumblebee contest and really enjoyed it especially the cw. Weather was forecast for rain and stayed at the home QTH. Propagation was very poor but picked up the last hour of the contest. Lot of qrn on 40 meter and bands seemed to have lot of absorption.
WD4MSM/BB
The Flight of the BumbleBees was lots of fun but the band conditions were a bit less than optimal. It was a sunny and warm day in northern Indiana for the "flight." The temperatures were in the mid 80's and it was the perfect day to have a reason to operate outside. Thanks to the ARS for taking the trouble to set up such an enjoyable operating event!
W1PID/BB
I had a great time. Rode my bicycle 2 miles along the Pemigewasset River in Sanbornton. I used an FT-817 at 3 watts with resonant dipoles on 20 and 40. I made 22 Qsos in 2 hours with 16 SPCs. No bugs, partial cloud cover. Brought the 5 watt solar panel, but it was only usefull for 20 minutes because of the clouds. Rapid QSB on 20 meters. Best DX was CO, UT, and ID. With so many bees, thought I'd hear a lot more activity. But it was really nice to work everyone and the outdoors was wonderful. Thanks to all and 73. Jim W1PID
WA5ZNU/BB
My father Leigh N5LK and I (also Leigh) walked to Seale Park in Palo Alto, CA and set up a wire Vee 24' and 33'/16' with his 40-30 K1 and my KX1. We logged one K1 contact on 40m (plus another one of them lost in the log somehow) and the rest of 20m on the KX1. Although Paul kindly gave us a BB# for N5LK at the last minute, we decided to operate under one call. Pix at http://wa5znu.org/log when we get them uploaded. Our last contact right at 2PM PDT was W1ESE, a lucky catch, dit dit.
N8VW/BB
Operated from the Park of Roses in Columbus, Ohio. Transportation method was via Bicycle. Found a nice shady spot and shot a line up in a tree with my trusty sling shot. Ended up with about 45' vertical and then ran a conterpoise line over to a fence surrounding a baseball field. Seemed to work well enough. Operating time was a bit less than 2 hours. See everyone next year.
KD7GIM
A good day of QRP Radio today. All my contacts were stateside, except for 1 contact near Calgary, AB. I used my DK9SQ Mast with 1/4 wave vertical. My travel trailer's aluminum skin served as counterpoise. 15 Meters is a good QRP Band, maybe even better than 20 meters, if it was as popular as 20 meters. But of course with an organization like ARS, maybe we could promote 15 meters as a QRP Band. We might give bonus points for 15 meter contacts during Spartan Sprint Contests for example. I was thrilled to get into GA twice today. Of course AZ, NM, CO, WI, FL, UT, and AB arefairly good performance from 5 watts with a small vertical antenna. I am looking forward to next years contest already.
N4UM
Was going to take my boat out in Florida Bay and operate as a "Bee" but the 95+ degree temperatures kept me indoors and at home. It's hot down here in the Keys! I ran my new (to me) IC-703 and a Tennadyne T-8 Log periodic at 50 feet. Heard nothing at all on 10 meters or 40 meters but kept checking. 15 was pretty flakey and 20 wasn't the greatest. Other than that conditions were super!
KW4JS/BB
Thanks to everyone I worked and to all those who participated. Rig was an Elecraft K2 running 5 watts into a random wire vertical out in the heat and high humidity of East Tennessee.
K3SFP/BB
More like flight of the mosquitoes
W0OOW/BB
1 watt to a dipole doesn't get under these condx. At least it was pretty outside.
WB1HGA/BB
ats 3 into a vbwfp Did not get to work the entire 3 hrs. but sure was fun!
K0LWV
My line noise was bad.
KB9ZRX/BB
17:38 14.061.5 K4KT TN 17:43 14.061.5 WD4MSM IN BB#155 18:57 07.039.0 VE3EIM ON
19:33 14:057.5 K7ESU UT 19:40 14:057.5 WA4DOU NC (5w)
WUÿH/BB
Hiked to spot and used solar/batt pwr with homebrew dipole fed with ladder line.
Got rained on twice. 20M was crowded. 40M seemed good, but heard no Bees there, thus no contacts. 15M weak band condx--heard one BB, but couldn't work him. 10M dead. What great cw ops there are in this club!
WB4X
I was supposed to be a Bee, but it rained. I decided to stay home and just enjoy the contest. Band condix were slow at best. There is always next year!
KI4DGH/BB
KF1UR BB#169 WA9TZE BB# 74 AB7E BB# 76 WJ9B 5W FL N3DRK BB#158
I am not much of a contester and I got a late start. But I really had fun chasing QRP contacts and was really surprised with the qso that I managed given the band conditions
K2EKM
Rig: TenTec Argonaut V at 5w to an 88ft doublet up 20 feet.
Good to hear N9AW on 15 meters. 20m had high noise level here. 40m seemed to be the best band today. There were several bees with big stingers (signals) among the swarm!
W5KDJ
50MW sure didn't go very far today. No props, started out good on 20 for few minutes than it was gone. pffffft etc...
KE5AKL/BB
I ran a KX1 and a Par End Fed 10/20/40 QRP antenna fed with 25 feet or RG-58. The antenna was hung as a vertical from a tree near a shady picnic table in Bataan Park in Albuquerque, NM. When I pulled up on my mountain bike about half an hour before the contest I was surprised to find the "Society for Creative Anachronism" setting up at the other end of the park. These are the folks who dress up like medieval knights and ladies and hold mock duels. This was good and bad. The good news -- no one paid much attention to me and they had a clean porta-potty set up for the event. The bad news -- there was a pack of kids running around my picnic table and bashing each other on the head with foam rubber swords for most of the contest! Actually this wasnít all that bad, kind of added to the fun really. Towards the end a couple of kids came by and asked what I was doing. I explained but they didnít seem to get the idea so I asked their names and had them listen as I spelled and sent them. They got a big kick out of this and it seemed to get the idea across. I've only been a ham a bit over a year and this was my first bee. In fact, it was the first contest where I've ever called CQ. All in all I had a pretty good time.
73 Mike ñ ke5akl
K4BYF/BB
Had a great time. Don't ever remember working so many BB's.
WB8RTJ
Had to stay in the shack, but was lots of fun looking for the bees. Hope all the bees made it back home safe es sound. Look forward to seeing you in the SP.
72S too all. FT920 at 5W, antenna C4SXL at 50ft.
Jim WB8RTJ
WA8REI/BB
I morphed from a Flyin' Pig into a Bumble Bee at precisely 1700 UTC. Looked in the mirror, and I had yellow and black stripes but still had my curly pink piggy tail. I SORTA morphed! Hi Hi. Buzz-buzz-oink-oink!
RIG: FT-817 5 watts; ANT: 40 m. inv. vee 25' apex / 15' ends TUNER: MFJ 941E
QTH: Whiting Scenic Overlook, Midland, MI near the huge Dow Chemical complex.
Great to work a lot of familiar calls, including several with whom I have had eyeball QSOs. Great to work NT4XT and VE3WMB....both are DUDES. Hi Hi. Tried a dozen times to work K5BOT, but no go. Band condx very poor with very persistent QSB. Temp at my QTH: 88F, humid, very windy. Forgot to take my cans, so I had to copy sigs through the wind in my ears via '817 speaker.
Tnx all for a fun time. More fun than a Flying Pig in a sunflower or a Bumble Bee at the slop trough!
N1AIA/BB
The perfect weather forecast was wrong. Rain cut my on-air time short after 90 minutes of fair conditions on 20m. Heard nothing on 15 and little on 40 in the early afternoon.
W7WEL/BB
It's hot, hot, hot, in North Idaho! So, had to find some shade. Drove to a ridge, carried my gear to a spot on the north side of some scrub hemlock which provided shade for the duration. Had a great day.
Bill - W7WEL
VE6YD/BB
Hiked about 6 km in Elk Island National Part with Jacques VE6AMA to a large clearing. Set up my FT817 with a rotatable delta loop. 15m was dead but 20m was quite busy already. My small number of contacts is due to us being evicted from our clearing by several dozen bison. They came up so close they scared the daylights out of me. So we left. Next year...more contacts...less bison hi hi.
AI4BJ/BB
Both propagation and Wx were much improved over last year. I operated my K2 from Big Bone Lick State Park in Northern Kentucky. I used my usual 66-ft doublet hung from a DK9SQ mast which I (rather lazily) lashed to a handy basketball goal. All in all, great fun. Why don't we do this every weekend!?
VY2/W1OH
Wow! After last year, great conditions this year! Very low noise levels - wondered if antenna was OK!! Only on for the last 2 hours from vacation house here on Point Prim, Prince Edward Island. Heard a signal or 2 on 15M but no contacts (maybe I was too late? 15M sounds pretty good tonite at 0100 UTC, tho), so quickly went to 20M where all the action was. Just did S & P - think a few folks were surprised by the VY2 call! Great fun! And what a day here: clear blue sky, about 70F, and 10MPH NW breeze; unbelievable sunset tonite!!! Guess I should have been a bee!! Setup here about 100 yards from salt water looking west, FT897 @ 5W to an 80M doublet at 50 feet. Thanks ARS!!
N7GS
Only spent a little over 1 hour total, but had a good time. Was surprised that the propagation was as good as it was K2 @ 5W and 3 ele Yagi pointed East.
NNÿC/BB
QTH was Castlewood Canyon State Park, Douglas County, Colorado. I operated here for 2003 BB contest. This year a little farther south on the canyon rim - about a 1.5 mile hike. Used a AD5X vertical from June 2005 QST. Staking was tricky since there is little or no top soil at this location. Rig was my 'old' ATS1. Murphy stayed home with my 8' coax feedline but I had still had an 8-inch feedline from my tuner/dipole setup. This meant I had to sit next to the antenna instead of the nice big pine tree I picked out. Luckily, I'd also packed a tarp for extra shade in the 90-degree temps. Worked only 20M which was very quiet on the vert. QSB stole a few contacts and had several dupes. Need to break out the NK0E keyer for the next contest. 88Q/48B/29SPC for about 3.25 hours of operation.
K6UIZ/BB
K1 + a Norcal dipole (CF Zepp from computer cable) condx. not so good, ant. not so good. I heard a lot of stations I couldn't work, gave up shortly after noon pacific time. 2 hours operating and only 8 Q's
K6LG/BB
FT-817 at 5w to an inverted V. 5 mile round trip to a local park via bicycle. condx difficult. Temp over 100 deg. Best DX WI and IA
KD4MSR/BB
This was my first CW operation in 20 months due to a move across the state and heavy work load at my university. I had fun despite this pitiful number of QSOs. The low Q rate was due to my rustiness at the paddle of my ol' trusty MFJ 9040. My portable QTH was lakeside at Reed Bingham State Park near Adel, Georgia--a beautiful spot, but not quite true Adventure Radio. Signed "Professor L. O. Power" a.k.a. KD4MSR
W2XN/BB
My adventure took my by bicycle along the WILLOW FORK NATURE TRAIL in Katy, Texas. The nature trail follows a local bayou and zigzags through the trees along a small creek. At various points over the creek are wooden 'viewing platforms' and I selected one buried back in the trees away from the main trail and it was the only one I could find with enough shade from the hot Texas sun. For equipment I used an Elecraft K2 at 5 watts and a homebrew 20 meter dipole up about 12 feet. My field paddle is a homebrew single paddle made from a piece of hacksaw blade. Power was a 12 volt gell cell. Even though there are warnings about alligators none were seen on this trip. I was only able to work 2-1/2 hours due to personal commitments. These are pictures of my adventure:
http://www.katyars.com/gallery/2005bumblebeecontest/flightofthebumblebee.html
K5GQ/BB
Asked for a number on Thursday, in hopes of operating. #291 (Physical inventory, required attendance scheduled for Saturday and Sunday). Friday afternoon work schedule changed, work only Saturday. Sunday morning, loaded car up with computer, keyer, and radio; and tools to perform odd jobs at Grandmother's house. Went with wife to help with packing of grandmother's house items. On the way discovered paddle would not key memory keyer, forgot cable from rig to computer (keys rig). About 10 minutes from the end of the contest, I was ready to head to site and operate. Well, next year.
W9CC
Enjoyed the contest. Used a straight key for more than half of it. Hope to work more of them.
AC7YE/BB
Unable to participate - family commitments
W2AGN/BB
Went to my favorite "Nature Outlook" at Parvin State Park. Was able to sneak a 40M 1/2 wave end fed up with my "antenna launcher" when no one was looking. Used my old original AT Sprint. I had charged up a brand new set of 2200Mah NiMH batteries I bought from one of those cut rate outfits. ("Tysonic" brand") My ten cell pack went from 12.6 volts to 6V in less than 30 minutes! fortunately, I had put another pack of old RS batteries that I hadn't even charged into my pocket. They worked fine for the rest of the Sprint. All Altoids rigs, ATS, "Tenna Dipper," + Rainbow Tuner with a KD1JV Digital wattmeter in the line also in Altoids tin, of course. Lots of questions from passers-by about what I was doing with all those mint tines wired together.. Band conditions on 20M seemed pretty good here. Some QSB, but CA stations had good sigs in here.
VE6AMA/BB
It is with anticipation that my friend Colin (VE6YD) and I looked forward to the 2005 FBB event, as this was our first BB ever! I left my home West of Edmonton, Alberta, at 07:00. We were bound for Elk Island National Park, East of the City. On my way I picked up Colin. Elk Island is known for its large number of elks and buffalos. Our plan was to hike the Tawayik loop to the mi-point where ñ between two lakes ñ is a huge plain dotted with small hills. The spot would allow us to work as individual stations without interfering with each other.
What did we learn? Stay away from buffalos! Interestingly enough, I have hiked countless times every single trail in that Park and met buffalos before, but never in such close proximity and large number. Did they have a convention this year?? Will we be back in the FBB next year? You bet, this was fun!
72 to all de VE6AMA and VE6YD.
NI8N/BB
My wife, Joanne, and I took the ferry from Marblehead Ohio, 5 miles north into Lake Erie to Kelley's Island. We then hiked 2 1/2 miles across the island to Glacial Grooves National Park, and set up the KX1 on a picnic table. I forgot my slingshot launcher so I used a water bottle to weigh the 43' wire and tossed it up into the trees, where I managed to tangle it and break the wire. So I knotted the wire, twisted bare ends together and did it again. I only managed to put it up about 15' and it barely worked. Glacial Grooves is a park showing how the glaciers scoured solid limestone to a depth of 20' and the grooves are impressive. We had a great day together and she quilted while I played radio. We will go somewhere else this fall for our own field day.
73, Jack and Joanne
AA8UU/BB
1ST TIME, RAN PORTABLE, GOOD WX, GREAT TIME, TU...
N5ESE/BB
Late start after many snafu's getting the 85 ft wire up, having one rig fail due to intermittent power connector, and keyer #1 with a broken wire on the 9V battery. Fortunately, we always carry a backup, and - aside from the delay - this time it paid off. Ended up using the old faithful KD1JV Altoids AT Sprint (original) with the new Elecraft T-1 ATU, and a Bulldog paddle. 20 Meters was not too bad, with lotsa QRP signals, most playing real nice with each other. Band conditions much, much better than the previous two summers.
KB2FCV/BB
I was Bee #182. Bought a Rowboat, spent the weekend before rowing on the reservoir to find "the spot", built antennas, bought a pelican waterproof case to hold everything, bought some additional elecraft accessories... this past Thursday one of my wife's 21 year old cousin died, canceling all plans for Flight of the Bumble Bees. Well, I've got everything ready to go for next year. I am certainly signing up.
N9RY/BB
Operated from Picnic bench in local Forest Preserve with a K1 running about 4 watts and a wire dipole up about 10 feet in the trees. Battery power was a pair of 10 cell AA Nimh cell holders, which proved to work very well with the K1's power demands. My thanks to all with great "ears" that were able to dig me out of the noise level! Had a very good time until the temps got above 90F, Packed up after about 2.5 hours. Thanks to all, see you in the next one.
72 Ron N9RY
K6DGW/BB
My totals were: TOT Q's = 19 TOT Bee's = 14 # States = 6 Score = 798?
QTH: Regional Park, Auburn CA CM98 [38+57+22.22N 121+06+09.13W]
RIG: K2 (#4398) w/KAT2 @ 5W 12 Ah gel cell solar charged at home
24' vertical wire w/ 24' counterpoise OPR TIME: 3.5 hrs
My first FOTBB attempt. I'm a little mobility challenged so I drove to the parking lot and then made a couple of trips to carry my gear into the picnic area in the park (about 1/4 mile RT). Not a high-rate contest for me but fun ... I heard a lot of stations who didn't hear me which probably speaks very well of the K2 RX. Took some time to fool around with various configurations of my antenna, and learned a lot. Temp in Auburn was 100 - 101, but I was in the shade of the oak trees and there was a nice breeze. All in all, a fun, if not winning outing. Had to pack up 1/2 hr early as we had an engagement in the afternoon. 73, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw
W7MRG/BB
WB7FJG and N4SL multi-op their club callsign, W7MRG, Machias Radio Group, as a Bee in Snohomish, WA, Bee #46.
Radio: Elecraft K2 w/ 5A-hr 12V battery Antenna: 88' CF doublet at 70'
We hiked into a bird sanctuary, slipped into the shadows along a river where the trees are tall and the bow and arrow for antenna installation wasn't visible (!)
Operated from 1700 - 2010 UTC, ran out of band conditions and only heard dupes.
40 and 15 were completely dead up here, 20m wasn't very good and had deep fading, still we worked everywhere but the NE part of the USA. We had fun, got out for some exercise and sun, very successful.
73, Steve N4SL
W4ZV/BB
Operated from same spot as last year in the Uwharrie Mountains, the oldest mountain range in North America (even older than Appalachians). This year I added a Par Electronics EF-20/40 half wave vertical in addition to the 88' doublet used last year. Latter was about 40' high but on Dark Springs Mountain about 350' above surrounding terrain. rig was a K2 plus Emtech ZM-2 for the doublet (not needed for the Par vertical). It was interesting to see the difference between the vetical and horizontal antennas...the 88' doublet was best most of the time but there were occasions where the vertical was clearly better. I checked 10m often but never heard anything. 15m seemed good but had very little activity. What signals were there were reasonably good. 20m was very spotty and 40m seemed better but had lower activity. I worked 31 S/P/C and the best DX was KD5ONS in Oregon. I heard several 6's on 20m but none could hear me. Worked 3 non-bee's running 1 Watt. Thanks to all for your good ears and see you next year. The BB is definitely my favorite QRP contest. Thank you ARS!
WA1ZCB/BB
The weather and band conditions were the best I've seen for some time here in MA.The plan was to head out on the lake to setup but only made it to the dock (my stones acting up again). Carl K1KID came over with his K1 and Buddy-Pole set up horizontal and I put my K1 and fishing pole (24ft.wire and 2-16ft radils up vertical so Carl was able to work 20 meters the same time I was on 40. We had a blast. Thanks for the contacts and fun day.
72&73s WA1ZCB/BB #11
WA0RSE/BB
Revisited Frontenac State Park, MN for the 4th time. Used the K1 again this year but updated to a Buddipole with a 16 foot mast. Was again very sunny and hot (around 94) but the walk up the bluff overlooking Lake Pepin was worth it. I worked mostly bees this year and appreciate how great everyone sounded from the field! Alright! We could still spread out more if possible although it was much better than previous years. The northwestern states really started booming in here just as the contest ended. Went through all three liters of my water... Next year I'll be solar powered, I hope. Best
72's to all. Paul, wa0rse. 2005 Bee #123
N7RVD/BB
15 Meters was open --- Where was everybody?
K5OT/BB
Conditions and activity were both amazing this year! 20M was a never-ceasing pit of buzzing, and 15M produced some nice action too. Never got to spend much time on 40M due to all of the activity on 20M. I operated from Old Settlers Park near Round Rock, TX - a site that I used in the Pesky Texan Armadillo Chase back in March. My setup included an IC-706 and Wilderness Sierra, and dipoles for 40/15 and 20M (both in a sloping configuration). Normally I would have set them up horizontally, but I only had one tree that was tall enough! No atmospheric or man-made QRN bothered me this time ... which doesn't happen very often in this part of the country. Quite a few familiar callsigns were noted in the non-Bee category ... perhaps some of these folks could be recruited to the hive for next year's test??
AD6GI/BB
20M had its highs and its lows, but still had a lot of fun.
Thanks to all for your good ears and patience with my operating.
Hope to see you next time.
K4BAI/M
Was mobile with KU8E driving on the way back from an IOTA contest expedition to Jekyll Island, GA (NA058). Great that so many signed up for BB numbers. However, conditions were pretty bad. Worked only 20 M as didn't want to stop frequently to change the Hustler resonators. Had to drive during the middle portion of the contest, so time on the air was only about one hour, 37 minutes.
TS850S, 5 watts output, Hustler 20 meter mobile whip. See you all in the Spartan Sprint Monday night.
73/72, John, K4BAI.
WN1GIV/BB
Bob used a KX-1 and 33 foot end fed wire. He is motorcycle mobile on his way from his home QTH in FL to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in Sturgis SD. He was delighted to work Randy K7TQ first and Todd, N9NE, last. Posted by K7RE.
W5ESE/BB
I hiked to the primitive camping area in Pedernales Falls State Park near Johnson City, Texas. I used my Ten-Tec TKIT 1320 for 20 meters (3W) and Small Wonder Labs SW+ for 40 meters (2W). My antenna was a 33.5' end fed wire, with 6 34' radials and 1 16.5' radial. I had put together a small feeder with 8' of 300 ohm TV twinlead, with a 1:1 current balun on the end to feed the vertical wire and move the feedpoint away from the operating position and power supply connections. I was happy with the result. It was a toasty day in Texas. Fortunately, band conditions were an improvement over last year.
VE3XT/BB
This and FYBO has to be the operating events of the year. This year I decided to tackle a smaller mountain. Here is a brief synopsis of my event this year....
As in every FOBB I got lost....But the lost will be found
And there was much rejoicing
Start up the final accent to top of the hill
Had rained all nite and morning
Step up on a rock
Slide back on a butt
20 minute hike takes 35
The antenna pullup string had the mother of all snarls
Are there any points for untangling it while swatting mosquitoes?
Holy smokes, a QRP contest and condx are actually OK
Antenna, rig and op are actually doing OK
Spoke too soon
Battery pack dies........
I have a spare and away I go
Into a groove now, ooperating and enjoying scenery and sun
In no time flat its over
Take away my station
Leave nothing but footprints
Take nothing but pictures
15 minutes to car
20 minutes home
Cold beer...ahhhhhhh
Isn't the FOBB great
K1CGZ/BB
This year the K1CGZ/BB hive was on Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg, ME. (Same as last year) The WX was not what you'd normally think of as a "beach day." It was cool, mid 60s, and cloudy. There was also a sea breeze. However, 20 M was fairly hot. I had an inverted V strung between three pieces of driftwood that I anchored in the sand. Rig was a DSW-II with a small Kenwood tuner and a gel-cell. The walk was about 1.5 miles from where we left the truck. Good exercise dragging a wagon loaded with tent, rig, chairs, food, etc. through soft sand. Big fun! 72 de K1CGZ/BB
AA2AD/BB
I guess the rechargeable battery setup didn't fix itself since last used. It SEEMED to be fully charged and worked great, for half an hour. -AA2AD
WA1GWH
My first ARS event. Thanks to all OPS for the courteous contacts. The AutoLog is GREAT! May I please suggest the folks spread out more from 7040.
W9FNB/BB
Rig FT-817 / Ant 20m 1/4 vert / The band had deep QSB from the park here in Carthage early on. Thanks to all that worked me. I have missed many ARS events of late due to tough working skeds(18 hr shift day before) I was a little tired. Nice to work K0EVZ-AA1MY-N2XE-K7TD and others during the event.
All the Best BB's W9FNB Gary
N8XD/BB
It was a beautiful day in Michigan. I used a 150' long wire with a small MFJ tuner and an FT-897 / 5 watts / on batteries. I only had a few people look at me funny, perhaps I should pick a more public place in the park. :)
--Keith (N8XD)
NK6A/BB
Rode my bicycle 7 miles to a park by the beach in Playa del Rey, Southern Calif and set up a PAC-12 and wire antenna to use with my K1. Heard many stations but only was able to work a few of them. I only operated for 2 hours.
KE6US/BB
Had a great day at Lake Perris, CA. It was a day for bugs. Every station I worked was a Bee! I can deal with bees, but biting flies and curious wasps landing on my arms was a bit much. I chickened out with 1:20 hrs left on the clock. I heard MANY more stations than I worked...just couldn't seem to get heard. KE6US
N7LT/BB
Much better FOBB this year. Last year, ran into all sorts of equipment problems, didn't work a single station last year. This year, all equipment working fine, still took a long time to get gear together as had many family commitments prior to FOBB so all planning, gathering and getting ready took place the morning of the FOBB! Drove to the Flathead State park here in NW Montana and made the short (very short) hike up to the lookout vista and set up a all band dipole about 20 feet in a tree. Sat on a viewing bench in the shade (temps in the mid 90's and casually made 20 contacts from 1pm till the end of the FOBB. What a bunch of fun! Some signals were STRONG! My rolling tool box sure helped make the short trip up the hill to the operating position easier than trying to backpack the radios, water and food to the location. Rig was the trusty old Ten-Tec Argonaut 509 at 5 watts out. Antenna 132ft all band dipole fed with ladder line. pwr = 7 amp hour gell cell. After contest, had some nice QSO's with other FOBB stations who were still on the air. Had a good time chatting with Bill, N7OU/P, in Tillamook OR who was running 1 watt portable from the Oregon coast. We talked about 20-30 minutes!
NW8L/BB
It was an early start for Bee #299, out of bed at 5:30 am, then up the trail to South Sandia Peak. Selected a spot just above 9700 ft. elev. on the saddle just short of the peak and immediately to the south, overlooking all points east, west and south. Rig was KX1 powered by 12V gel cell battery. Ant was 20 m dipole with half-wave twinlead feeder, all from 28 ga. speaker wire. Ant was hoisted up a 32 ft. telescoping fiberglas windsock pole, with feedpoint at about 28 ft. so that feeder would reach the rig. The ends were tied off with long lines to form an inverted vee, oriented north/south. Finally flipped the switch on rig 1 minute into contest, happy to hear lots of sigs, was able to work into all regions except New England. After contest enjoyed great QSO with Grover, K7SGF in WY. The sun was getting low, so packed it all in and headed down the mountain. A lot of hiking, but had a great time and will do it again next year!
AC6NT/BB
I really had a blast this time-- amazed the propagation held up. I heard plenty of activity the entire 3.5 hrs. I was on 20M, except for 1 QSO on 15M. 40 was dead. The weather in Sunland, CA. was perfect, but glad I remembered to bring bug spray. I used an FT-817 with an extra battery, a full wave Delta Loop, and an LDG automatic tuner. I ran 5 watts the entire time, and managed to "sling-shot" my antenna up about 40 feet. Those sling shots work great! I was on top of a hill overlooking the 210 freeway and the Tujunga wash, with it's new golf course. I've operated from this site before, and it's really a good place. N7OU and K50T were noteably loud as well as WB6HQK (close by). Had a nice normal QSO with Syl, W8JSN which helped to break things up. Also, I worked the paddles left-handed the entire time, so I could write with my right hand. It was awkward, but I think it may pay off if I can get used to it. I've been pretty inactive the last year, and I this event has rekindled some of my enthusiasm. Thanks everyone...I had a great time!
KG0MZ/BB
I left early on the bike and peddled to Lake Afton SW of Wichita. I found a nice spot in shade before the upper 90's settled in. No equipment problems, this time. A nice breeze off the lake made for a pleasant outing. But the QSB was as insidious as the insects dragging signals from 579 into the mud. QRN was not a factor. I hounded stations I thought I should be able to work, but the QSB tormented me all day. I only snagged 11 contacts on 20 meters with the NC20 and a dipole, but I had fun. Yeah it was hot, but the contest held my interest not like other years when the QRN wore me out after an hour or so.
N6XG
Began setup at start of contest. Actual start time was 40 minutes late. Location was in front yard with fiberglass pole supported wire vertical and rig was KX-1 running 3 watts. Band was improving at end of contest. A excellent experience. Thanks to all for Qs.
KG6HAF/BB
Many firsts: first FOBB, first time operating away from home QTH, first time K2 out in the field with the QRP lid on, first time using just-built ladder-line fed 40M dipole. My house in the Santa Cruz, California coastal mountains is about 350 feet above SL and backs up against a sand hill with a summit at 800 feet; about 0.5 miles away as the crow flies. (For most of the last century this was a big sand quarry area.) Now, of course, never having done any portable operating, I took WAY too much equipment (including a much too big and heavy 11ah gel-cell from an old UPS) and wound up shoving all the electronics into a hard shell pro-style video camera suitcase and all the soft goods (antenna, water, cable-ties, rope) into my 10 year old daughter's stylish but small "Sailor Moon" back-pack. And so it was I came to find myself at 8:30 on Sunday morning plodding up what is essentially a vertical beach, the last 200 feet of which banks up at an insane 60 degree angle, drenched in sweat, carrying 40 pounds of crap in two ridiculous containers and waiting for the twinges in my left arm to start.
And it was fun!
Took a good while to recover and get the dipole up in some trees running N-S with ends at 50 and 20 feet (the "sloping T" configuration!) and started operating butt-on-ground an hour late. Wall-to-wall sigs on 20M and spent an hour there doing S&P and fighting the QSB. (Hey W2AGN: you've got _ears_, man! Thanks.) Went up to 15M and things seemed dead so started calling CQ (another first for me) and had a little run of 6-7 Qs -- another first. (In fact, I so startled when the first call was dropped -- K4KO in TN I think -- it took me minute to realize they were trying to talk to _me_. :-) Sorry for my poor skills. In the end, not a ton of contacts but great distribution: ID, CO, AZ, NJ, NM, TN, WA, TX, VA, MT, WI. This QRP thing is pretty cool. Hope to be back next year in better shape with a lighter pack!
VA3SIE/BB
I cycled to Rockliffe Park in Ottawa, Ontario for the contest. I operated for
four hours from 2pm to 5pm. I used a KX1 driving 1.5W to a quarter wave for
20m, and a quarter wave for 40m. I also used the 40m quarter wave as an end
fed half wave on 20m. Halfway through the contest, a group of photographers showed up with a model and did a photo shoot in the pine trees 20 feet behind me!
AB7E/BB
I dragged a 24 pound backpack a half mile along a rocky hillside behind our house in southern Arizona (roughly 2 miles north of the border with Mexico) to a small canyon that faced eastward. I ran a line across the canyon to support a dual band 20m/15m dipole and set up my station (Elecraft K1, 7 amp-hour gel cell, key, and headphones) on a nearby rock. Just for kicks, I allowed myself one hour from the time I started the hike to get there and set up, and I managed to begin the contest only about 10 minutes late. The antenna was only about 35 feet above the bottom of the ravine, but the land slopes away to the east at a 15 to 20 percent grade so the takeoff angle should have been pretty low. I worked several New Jersey stations, and even CT and PE, so I guess that was the case. The conditions definitely tapered off the last hour or so of the contest, but I had a great time in spite of the muggy monsoon weather we have here now and the stiff legs I got from sitting on a rock for four hours. I'm sending a few pictures by separate email.
73, Dave AB7E
KD3FG
Tried to give QSOs to the Bees out there in the field. Glad to see a little activity on 15m. 20m was busy but had lots of QSB and some noise at my location.
KT3A/BB
Rode the moutain bike and operated for a little over an hour. Rig was K1 with 4 watts to end fed wire sloper up 25 feet. One of my favorite events and a great bunch of bees again this year.
K4AQ
Class: Single Op All Band QRP QTH: Sharpsburg (Greater Atlanta Area), GA
Operating Time (hrs): 1.6 (4 max)
QSO SPC
-----------------
40m 5 3
20m 10 7
-----------------
15 10
SPC: 10 - CT NY NJ KY NC NM OH IN WI IA BBs: 12
Score: 15 Q's x (12 BB's x 3) = 540
Rig: Icom IC-956 Pro II transceiver, operated at 5 watts
Antennas:
1. 40m 2-el yagi up 65+ ft (rotator)
2. 20m-6m Tennadyne T11 LPDA up 65+ ft (rotator)
3. 40-10m Moseley Pro-67 yagi up 30 ft (fixed NE)
Miscellaneous:
1. Dunestar Bandpass Filter
2. WriteLog 10, rig interfaced, but macros
not used, i.e., sent CW with paddle and built-in electronic keyer
Took a break from doing maintenance at WW4LL contest stn; setting it up for Multi-Two Transmitter (M/2). Used the FOBB part-time for preliminary testing. Low Power (100 watts) tests will follow before going to 1000+ watts.
Matt, K4AQ Atlanta, GA
W1MT/BB
Hiked up to Mary's Rock (Shenandoah Nat'l Park, VA) with my son. Had a blast! Conditions not great, but quite a few signals and never a dull moment. Mostly search and pounce, did call cq for a while but got only 1 new one that way. Can't wait till next year!!!
W0NTA
Good activity on 20 meters. I could only work about 1 1/2 hours of the contest. Thanks for putting it on.
KF0UR/BB
This was my second Bee and I had a great time. Last year the wx was cold and foggy. This year it was bright and sunny for most of it. I was on the side of Mt. Blodgett in northwest Colorado Springs at 8000 feet (the top is 9433 feet). 20M condx were very good and I had QSOs up and down the eastern seaboard, and closer in...21 states and 1 Canadian province. The rig is an Elecraft KX-1, a 12V 2A battery on a small solar charger, mini paddle key, and a homebrew portable 12 foot vertical. Had 60 QSOs overall. Only sad part was clouds started to build and it started to thunder 3 hours into the contest, so I had to scramble down the mountain a bit early. Can't wait for the next one.
Shel KF0UR
NT4XT
Worked this S&P only from WW4LL, while visiting the station to perform antenna work. Had to start the event late and end it early due to other commitments. It was fun. Antennas were either a Tennadyne Log, Mosley 40/20/15/10 bander, or a Mosley 2 element beam.
WA9TZE/BB
Had a Great BB Contest. The rig was a SGC-2020 Xcvr at 5w to a five band inverted V multi-band-dipole at 35ft[22ga wire] feed with RG-8x - , small car battery- and 2-4ft grd rods watered in alittle, w/epson salts. It was 91f and humid but had a shade tree and a hot breeze plus XYL furnished food and drink to keep it all going. Worked 31 states and 3 VE's. No Band was that great but just S&P each band at start then went to calling CQ. Fewer than 10 stations were really 59+ and strong so the rest of qso's were just dug out at the noise level with some repeats. I wonder where the other 239 BB's were??. Look forward to next years-all the best to everyone who was in this contest.It was great fun. Jim Akre/WA9TZE
W8VE/BB
This is my 1st BumbleBee Experience. I had morning activities so I got a late start. At 1:30 I gathered up my battery,K2, tuner and antennas and hiked to a local county park about 1/2 mile away. I parked my self at a picnic table in the shade & set up a Pacific 12 10-40 portable vertical I picked up at Dayton this year. I finally got on the air an hour after the contest started. 20 meters was poor and I ony made 1 qso on 20 in the 1st half hour. So I went to 40 meters; I threw 30 feet of wire in the tree and loaded with my MFJ tuner and put a 15 foot counterpoise. I mannaged to work 13 QSOs in the next hour. I went back to 20 and the band had opened up to the west and managed 11 more contact before the contest ended. The temperature was 78 degrees with low humidity and it was a perfect day to be a Bumblebee!!! I wish the bands would have been better but I has a good time in spite of the low qso totals.
Roger W8VE
N9NE/BB
Temperatures approaching 90F with direct sun baked down on my station sited on old industrial property (AKA "brownfield")in the city of Oshkosh. Too bad there isn't a category for the ugliest site! I ran two doublets: a 44' and an 88'from a common center in a cottonwood tree up about 25' and at right angles to each other. I ran old K2 #1429 at 5W, alternating between the two antennas. Power was from a 17 AH SLA battery. Conditions on 20 were very good, and so was 15 save for the relative lack of stations who climbed up there. Heard Arn, K0ZK, working many stations on 15M from his Maine beach location (sigh!). 40M was noisey but usable. Propagation was mainly east-west, with very few stations in the TX-OK-LA-MS-AR-AL area worked. Never even heard my own section of WI, although I heard stations calling N9AW who is in the Milwaukee area.
I pulled my grandson's (who is now 5 weeks old!) little red wagon loaded with all the gear a couple of blocks out and back. I was so beat after the whole experience that the wahrs are still up in the cottonwood (for next year?!?). Couldn't face any more radio for the following evening's Spartan Sprint .... sorry!
BTW, the sermon at church before the FOBB was "Got Enough"? I think the answer, relative to this event, is not enough to win! But I sure had fun working old friends and newcomers alike. This BB thing is growing! Thanks to Paul for all his work!
VE3WMB/BB
I used my Wilderness Sierra along with a brand new ALT tuner to load a 51 foot end-fed wire supported as an inverted vee with an SD-20 type fishing pole. I powered the rig with a 2ah gel cell that was charged via my 5W Flex Solar Panel and Micro M+ charge controller. Everything packed up nicely on my bike for the 8 km round trip ride to my operating location in the Central Experimental farm in Ottawa.
I did my good deed for the day and freed a squirrel that had managed to get trapped in a garbage can with a spring loaded lid. I don't know how long he was in there but he was really glad to get out !
My operating was pretty casual, but it was a nice day and just great to be outside playing radio. See you all next year.
WD8RIF/BB
Operation was at "Rock House" in the Hocking Hills (Ohio) State Park. It was a good event.
N2XE/BB
We had a 5 man team this year: John, N2XE; Vinny, KR2F; Roy, KC2DMH; Todd, KC2MFR and Tom, KC4YJU. Operated from the highpoint of New York State--Mt. Marcy--so we also bagged an open peak for the High Point Challange.
Equipment was a Fly Rod Vertical and 4-band K1. Conditions were great! 40 meters got a little tough with QRN building through out the day. 20 meters was really producing well. We spent only about 10 minutes on 15 meters but managed to bag 2 Qs.
The hike up was a bit of a mother and we spent 3 days and two nights on the hill. The trail was not particularly tough but the trail was pretty rugged, wet and littered with large rocks and boulders. Two of our most experienced hikers got lost (names witheld to prevent embarrassment)so they were an hour late to the summit. The weather was about the best we've ever experienced in 25 years of hiking the Adirondacks.
In summary, 15 miles round trip, 3500 vertical feet and the Fly Rod vertical performed superbly despite the nay-sayers. The views were phenominal,we racked up our highest Bumblebee score yet and bagged Mt. Marcy in the name of the Amateur Radio Society. It was a good day.
W7DRA/BB
I dont know how many of the participants entered the newly set up therimonic valve division. I plan to put together a picture story of my bee activity using therimonic valves. only working 3 stations (and only one a bee) on 40m was a disappointment to me. weighting the points per contact (like the Oceania Dx contest does) would be a suggestion:10 points per contact on 40m, 1 point on 20, 3 on 15 and 5 points on 10 meters this would give the guys more incentive to shift around the bands a bit.
VE3ENG/BB
This was my first FOTBB contest. I registered the last previous years but never got the chance to operate. This year was different. I managed to set up on a beautiful beach at Awenda Provincial Park in Ontario. The rig I used was my
KX-1 with a random wire strung up on a small tree. This was the most fun I ever had with one watt from six AA batteries! Though I only operated for one hour, condx on 40 and 20 m were great. Constantly buzzing with BB I managed to snag only two measily contacts! Thanks Wa2aic/BB and Va3sie/BB for your patience!
The rest of my quality time was spent with the XYL...will start working on my QRP rigs for next year...73's til next year.
WB3AAL/BB
I had a blast running as BB #210. I was operating near a pond on the Appalachian Trail. I was using my K1 @ 5 watts and the VBWFPA antenna by WA3WSJ. Only operated for 2 hours. I did spend time on 15 meters calling CQ but no replies. I did hear a few weak stations on 15 meters but no copy. This was the first year I did not have any storms and I could go out and run as a Bee.
72 Ron de WB3AAL BB #210
K4KJP/BB
Bad thunderstorms prevented planned set-up on the beach with a vertical beside the salt water, so went to back yard under several oak trees with an umbrella and used only my backpacking 20m dipole and K-2 on 20, 15, & 10M. Power was a couple of gel-cell batteries. Still had a great time in this contest. 2-way qrp qso's are a real blast! Still plan to try the salt water location in the future.
K6LG/BB
FT-817 at 5 watts to inverted Vee. Biked 5 mi RT to local riverbottom park.
Condx difficult. Wx temp 100+
N8ET/VE3/BB
We left Ohio on June 29 headed for the North Channel on our sailboat. I had gotten a Bee # just in case I had a chance to get on from the boat. It turns out I did get that chance - as thunder storms were rolling by to the south of us. We were anchored on John Harbor at John Island just southeast of Spanish ONT. Find that one on your map.... The first two hours were a bit rough with all the static, but the last two picked up a lot! Had a great time. This log is coming in from a wireless hotspot I found in Killarney, ONT. That's another one you may have trouble finding on your map! I think that the bees should have as much time to get their log in as it took them to get to their operating location! ;>) The rig was an FT-857D cranked back to one of W6MMA's Super Antennas mounted on the bow. I will try to get a digital picture or two submitted when I get back to Ohio in a couple of weeks.
73 - Bill - N8ET/VE3
K1KID/BB
Shared space with my pal WA1ZCB on a dock on beautiful Watuppa pond in Fall River. Weather was perfect and rigs worked well (both K1's). Ed worked 40 for a bit while I worked 20 then I would work 40 while he did 20. I think we scored about the same as well. Spent more time enjoying the weather and socializing than operating, but a great time outdoors in any case.
K7TD/BB
Dick, K9BWI, Alan, K0AV and I had a great adventure in the Pike National Forest just a few miles from Pikes Peak. Luckily we had great weather with no thunderstorms forcing us off the 10,000 ft ASL ridge. Conditions were only so so but we have no real excuse for not making at least 100 Q's. Please tell your friends to get off their butts and join the BumbleBee contest next year. And thanks to everyone that managed to put us in the log.
K2UD
Worked only bees! There seemed to be quite a few numbers assigned before it started. Good clean fun!
W0ESE/BB
This was my first FOBB (bee #296), as well as Rick, KC0PET (bee #180). The equipment I used included a K2 and W3EDP antenna. Rick brought his AT Sprint 3, a dipole and a cane vertical. I choose to search and pounce and worked every station on the first call.
We choose to operate from Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, a 2,238 acre park at Pierpont, MO. Pierpont was a thriving community (from 1847 to 1907) with whiskey distilleries, and a power generator both feed by a small stream (most of which runs underground) that exits Devilís Icebox and runs under a natural rock bridge. The town also had a store, a blacksmith shop, and houses. Details can be found at: http://www.mostateparks.com/rockbridge.htm
We started our hike on the Devilís Icebox Trail and walked about .75 mile, through the forest until we arrived at our operating site. After a few minor problems from a visit with our friend Murphy, we were operational. We both enjoyed the fresh air, and nice weather (clear sky, 95F temp. - cool compared to the 100+ temperatures weíve had for weeks). We were pleased to get a visit from some of the members of our radio club. After the contest we hiked into the Devilís Icebox cave and cooled off (temperature in the cave was at least 20 degrees cooler).
I canít wait until next year, and Iíve been inspired to pursue more portable operating. Thanks to ARS and all stations we worked!
N7OU/BB
Like last year I operated from the Bayocean spit on Tillamook Bay in Oregon. I had perfect weather and a beautiful site so I didn't mind making so few qsos. Somehow I managed to work FL, OH, and WI, but all my other qsos were in the West. I used my trusty KX1 at 1.5w and a 26' wire supported by a fishing pole. My antenna blew down during my qso with W0OOW/BB. I apologize for not coming back! 73 Bill N7OU
AA1MY/BB
AA1MY, BB# 4. Bright sunny day, windy, about 73F. KD1JV and I drove then hiked up to a beautiful overlook on Mt Blue in Weld, ME. It was at about 3400', on a bald spot with some 30-40' oaks at the perimeter. For lots of reasons, we got a 1.5hr late start. Fired up the ATS-3 to an "eighty-eight" at about 30' at the edge of what Steve assured me is "RF transparent" granite drop-off. 20m seemed only fair with no left coast heard, and QSB was deep & rapid. VERY few big sigs heard. Then the band went dead suddenly and we didn't figure it out until a rock climber came up over the edge -carrying my spool of 3/16" dacron support line which he'd cut at the anchor point down slope!! He was very embarrassed and we were further interrupted, having to re-shoot the antenna support. 40m seemed quite dead and nothing beyond first hop was heard. Operated about 2hrs for 66Q's. Best DX was VA6RF in AB. Was stunned to find we almost made AL7FS again, but the prop just couldn't permit it! Next time, Jim :)
Thanks again, ARS for another great outing!
VA3RKM/BB
My first adventure as a portable, using the FT-817. Great weather in Ottawa. Thanks to those participating!
AB4VF/BB
Murphy ruled supreme!
WA7NCL/BB
Bumble Bee from the shores of beautiful Thorp Lake at 4500ft at the base of 6000 ft Thorp mtn. Condx were not bad for my K2 at 1-2W on internal battery. Bands were weak at midday but much better than in past years. When band was bad I broke out the fishing pole and tried to snag a trout. Hope to do bumble bee again next year. 73s Bill.
WV7O/BB
This was my first cw contest, I got called into work about an hour before the contest started. I ended up only operating for 2 hours after getting off work.
I found it hard to pull out calls with all the activity, so I called cq on the edge of all the activity. At the end of the 2 hours I was able to operate I had 2 contacts. Well with more practice I think I'll do better next time, Can't wait. Roddney
AC5K/BB
Bugs, heat, gear problems, etc. but had a great time as usual
W0IIT/BB
Whew, HOT in SE KS. Enjoyed the contest and hope to do much better next year!!
K5BOT/BB
Location ended up being noisy. Band conditions didn't help either. Checked 10 meters a couple of times but no signals heard. Thank goodness for the light breeze. Ed
K0ZK
I operated from Parsons Beach on the Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunk, Maine. I used an Elecraft K2 (serial number 692 again) at 5 watts output. This time I had time to put up three different antennas to see if a low dipole would help me work those hard-to-work New Englander stations. I found no difference between the low 40 metre dipole and the 1/4 wave vertical over salt water. I set up next to a small bridge over tidal salt water. The tide rips through there. There was heavy rain at about 1900Z which made receiving difficult. I could not hear the weak signals too well when the rain was pounding down on the metal roof of the K0ZK radioVan ( a 1990 AstroVan with 258,000 miles on it).
I used an LDG RT-11 remote tuner at the base of surplus aluminum military telescoping masting 32 feet tall. This tunes well on 40, 20, and 15. I also had a HamStick on 20 and could tell no difference between it and the 32 foot mast. Of course, both were directly over a beautiful salt water marsh ground system. I had two no. 20 copper wires dropped into the water for a connection to the ocean, but I don't think even that is necessary: The antenna couples to the water naturally. The water is one foot below the base of the big vertical when it is high tide.
I really enjoyed the BumbleBee Bash this year: I made sure I was in place many hours before the contest started and was relaxed and primed for a swarm o' Bees.
I was Bee number 195. 72, Arnold, K0ZK
NA8M/BB
K1 and 88' doublet. The antenna was too low and the batteries too weak. Still, it was fun to be part of the hive. Location was a mountainside pasture in Waterford, Maine. Thanks to those that made a contact.
73 de NA8M John
N9AW/BB
The contest was a lot of fun. Condx were excellent on 20 mtrs but little activity on 15 mtrs. And 40 mtrs was terrible. Lots of bee activity. Thanks to all that I worked......... 73 de Jerry, N9AW BB#31
NK9G/BB
Plenty of setup headaches, but when up and running FB operation used K2 with 20 meter delta loop and inverted v for 40/15
WA1ZCQ/BB
After waiting a whole year for the '05 FOBB, I had to guess that something would go wrong. (Murphy's Law!) Sunday 7/31/05 arrived with questionable weather. I had hoped to operate the contest from the top of South Mountain in Pawtuckaway State Park. By the time I made the summit (2:30PM EDT) it was 1 & 1/2 hours into the contest, and raining heavily. Thunder and lightning was threatening and I thought it would be best not to setup my antenna until after the storm passed. There was no place that was dry, so I decided to operate from the top of the old fire-tower on the top of the mountain. By 3:40PM EDT I had my 1 and 1/2 wavelength Zepp running from the fire-tower to the tallest tree about 190' away. I had to really rush to make-up for all the time I had missed due to the storm. 40M was in average condition but the band was not active with CW(?). I guess most of the stations had already worked all they could on 40M and were off to other bands. I banged away on 7044KHz till the final seconds of the contest. More to follow these comments with pictures, URLs, and more of the story of the '05 FOBB de WA1ZCQ/BB. Murphy's Law won-out against me this year! See you all in the '06 FOBB, only 365 days away! Start getting ready now! ;-) 72, Carl - ZCQ
K3TW/BB
As in previous Flight of the Bumblebees, I operated again from Washington, DC. This year the QTH was from Fort Reno Park, the highest point in the city at 429 feet above sea level. On a previous outing to this QTH, I noticed severe receiver overloading from nearby television and radio transmitter towers on the hill, however this year with a Yaesu FT-817 and low dipole antenna, everything went exceptionally well without problems. I did notice, however, that my car alarm system operating at 300 MHz. was disabled in the strong RF field. Many thanks to all for making this such a fun event. With over forty years of ham radio contesting experience, and ten years operating overseas, I find the ARS events among the most enjoyable. Hooray for the outdoors, QRP and battery power!
K9EW/7/BB
This year I operated portable 7 from Ellensburg, WA where my daughter lives. I was up on a ridge overlooking the Kittitas Valley. There were no trees there, so the dipole was out. I used my homebrew PAC-12 vertical with a DSW II-20 running 3w. I couldn't pound a stake into the rocky ground, so wound up using my small camera tripod to hold up the vertical. It was great to hear so many Bees buzzing on 20m. Tnx es 72/73 - ed K9EW/7.
KA3WMJ
Loads of fun. Thanks for holding the BB. again.
KV9R/BB
Fun...
KI0II/BB
Not a full 4 hour effort but had fun. Contacts had to be earned!
Thanks ARS for a great event. Ron
KC2AFK
Conditions weren't the best, but 14 bees and 14 SPCs out of 22 QSOs in an hour and a half wasn't too bad.
WB9HFK
Rig: Icom 718 @ 5W
Antenna: Hustler 6BTV Ground Mounted with 32 Radials. The bands seemed 'so-so' here, but I had a good time in my limited time to operate. Thanks for sponsoring FOBB! 73, Mark
KG6UZB/BB
I operated from 10,000 ft in the Sierra Nevada near Mono Pass, overlooking the hypersaline Mono Lake. Equipment included Yaesu FT 817, MFJ 905 tuner, 4 AH gel cell and a 20M dipole fed with TV twin-lead and balun. I was very pleased with my signal. The day before the contest I got a 59 report SSB from k0bud (Mike in MN, also on an FT 817), and I also enjoyed a few fun cw contacts with w0wm (Percy in SD), ab3cv (Jim in MD) and wa5psa (Brad in MO portable with a whip) -three new states for me. But the contest didn't go so well. It was my first ever contest experience, and without a CW pass filter I found it all a bit baffling. I had great fun though and I look forward to next year.
KB9AU/BB
When I applied for my Bee number I had great plans of hiking to a high point on the Superior Hiking Trail (a 200+ mile trail along the north shore of Lake Superior from near Duluth to the Canadian border). I forgot that my wife, who is a weaver, had a craft fair that weekend and needed my help. I operated from behind her booth. The noise in the park plus my limited skills made operating a real challenge. I only made one contact.
W9LR/BB
Soapbox: YAESU FT-897 @ 5W 40 meter Dipole @ 30Ft. 20 meter Delta Loop @ 35 Ft.
QTH: 100 feet off the shores of Lake Michigan in Cudahy Wisconsin
Operated with Rick NK9G, he was using Elecraft K2 @ 5W and we switched antennas every hour.
KG6TGI/BB
Hiked 2 miles to the top of hill in the open space east of San Juan Capistrano, California. Nice views of the San Juan Mission to NW, Dana Point harbor to the west and San Clemente to the south. The weather was hot, sunny with no shade. Radio was an IC-703+ at 5 watts into a homebrew PAC12 antenna with 20 and 40m coils.
WA2IAC/BB
Operating from a canoe is a lot more challenging than it looks (at least for me). Choice of a paddle is critical; I haven't found the ideal yet. Thanks to N2PSR for operating the canoe while I operated the radio.
KI4DGH/BB
I am not much of a contester but I got a real charge out of chasing some QRP contacts given the poor band conditions.
K1LGQ/BB
ONLY MADE 5 QSOs THEN GOT RAINED OUT...BIG TIME.† BUMMER!
AK0M/BB
I missed Field Day this year, so have been looking forward to this event ever since. This year I biked about 1 mile to Greenhill Park in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This park is a great radio location, as it's one of the highest points in town, a few but reasonably tall trees, and relatively undeveloped so it draws few visitors. The only detriment is the big water tower at the south end of the park (sorry to all you Texans!). Very nice view.
I was initially worried about the weather, as I awoke to thunderstorms. But, the cool front passed just to the south of us, where it just parked all afternoon. The whole time I was looking at the big thunderstorm clouds less than 50 miles away and watching closely for movement toward me, but it never happened. So I enjoyed partly sunny skies, mid-70's temps, and a light breeze which kept down the bugs. I'm not sure it could have been much better!
I used my FT-817 at 5w, powered by an external 3AH battery pack. My antenna was an 88ft doublet, slightly sloping, center about 30ft high, oriented ESE/WNW, and fed with 80ft of Radio Shack 300 ohm twinlead through a LDG Z-11 autotuner. I used my K1EL K-10+ keyer packaged in an altoids tin (what else?!) for most of my contacts, and a Palm Paddle. I logged with GOLOG on a Palm IIIx, using the Palm Portable keyboard per the mod on NK0E's GOLOG web site. Having a keyboard instead of the graffiti input sure is nice! I modified the hotsync base to support the Palm and built an interface cable to the keyboard, to provide mechanical stability. This worked very well.
I didn't think conditions were very good, with quite a bit of QRN on 40 and 20, and lots of deep QSB on 20. With all the "bees" that were registered, I expected more activity, but maybe propagation filtered that down some. I ended up with 69 QSO's for my 3.5 hrs operation (got started late), 28
states, 3 VE provinces, 32 bee QSOs. CA and WA were my furthest QSOs.
This was the first time I have ever taken the bike out on a portable operation, and it worked pretty good. I had a small box of antenna stuff on the rear carrier, and my backpack carried the station.
A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Pictures available at http://pages.cfu.net/~sjs/ak0m/fobb_2005/FOBB2005.htm.
73, Steve