[MiQP-Mail] N8ZSA Portable M-M Tuscola

[Randy Love]

 N8ZSA's Contest Summary Report for MIQP
 Created by N3FJP's Michigan QSO Party Contest Log
 Version 3.5  www.n3fjp.com

 Total Contacts = 170
 Total Points = 19,872

 Operating Period: 2016/04/16 18:36 - 2016/04/17 01:59


 Total Contacts by Band and Mode:

 Band       CW   Phone     Dig   Total       %
 ----       --   -----     ---   -----     ---
   80        0      22       0      22      13
   40       37     109       0     146      86
   20        0       2       0       2       1
            --   -----     ---   -----     ---
 Total      37     133       0     170     100

The trip up to Tuscola was interesting. Weather was perfect, but the first choice for site wasn't. Seems that MDOT had closed ( seemingly permanently ) the roadside park just south of Vassar. Then the quest ensued for the next 2 hours to find a spot. Nothing in Vassar seemed good, quick searching for other parks didn't pan out. However, we've assisted with a fall bike event that is out of Frankenmuth each year and remembered a tiny little park just outside Mayville off of M-24 called Ohmer Park. Although the picnic tables were still stored for winter, the little pavilion had a nice open spot for us. There were plenty of trees, and AC power was readily available and operating! 

Got the PH station up first, which was an IC706MkIIG into a G5RV (80-10) at about 30 ft. The CW station was also an IC706MkIIG, but the antenna was a G5RV jr (40-6) at 20 ft. Issues getting the computers to network log to each other caused further delays. Once the networking issues were settled, there was trouble getting the CW interface working. It wouldn't send faster than about 13 WPM, which really killed CW operations ( the backup key as a straight key, so speed and endurance took a hit there ). 

One visit by the Mayville Police ( drive-by ) and about a 10 min visit by the neighbor next door were the only really hindrances. Fred, W8FSM, dropped by about an hour before sunset and took some nice aerial video with his drone. You can see that here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb68dM2S6vo ).

All in all, a nice day for a drive and playing radio outside. Glad we got to give out TUSC. We'd have liked to have done more, but Murphy had to get in his fun.

73,
Ted N8ZSA
Randy WF5X