The WX forecast c. Friday morning indicated a minimal chance of rain, so I packed my radio gear and bike and headed to Baylands. It would not be so: upon arrival at the ops site, raindrops began to fall. Headstrong, I decided to take my chances with nature, and set up on the newer picnic bench. I had my IC703 (10W) and Alpha Loop (the previous commercial antenna that I debugged).?
As raindrops began to fall, I placed the plastic bag with the '703 accessories as a shield atop the radio and tuned to 20M (10M was hot, but Hiroki's transmit energy was a bit intense). Murphy was absent (deterred by the rain?) and my equipment worked beautifully. The Alpha Loop tuned smoothly and the '703 autotuner functioned gracefully. Without optimizing the loop's azimuth, made contacts in Paso Robles and North Dakota (POTA), the latter about 1700 mi. I was quite happy that my gear was working; I love it when stuff just works!?
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The most interesting contact was with special event station VB7MAN, near Vancouver BC (~1K mi). They were commemorating operations Manna and Chowhound, which toward the end of WWII involved the RAF and allied forces dropping food supplies to the starving population of German-occupied Netherlands. You can find background info, a video and a link to a special website at the URL below (QSL Dave C?). I believe they are still OTA, check the link to confirm, and seek them OTA!?
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As the rain intensified, I took mercy on my equipment and packed up and sheltered in my car. After saying 73 to Hiroki and Howard, and after the rain let up, I broke out my bike and did my usual tour to Shoreline Lake and back. Rain was mild starting out, but intensified around Shoreline. Actually saw a few other cyclists. Saw some phombie walkers, who wiped raindrops from their phone screens as they satisfying their surfing addictions. Thankfully I was able to prevent mud from decorating the back of my water-repellant jacket. Despite the non-optimal WX, it was a good day.?
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Best, --David KM6RI
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https://www.qrz.com/db/VB7MAN
David
