|
It looks like the trip is a go. Extended forecasts are fairly clear so unless things change drastically it looks OK. It looks as though temps will be a bit lower but above freezing during the day. I ran a full test of the rover setup on Nov 17th and the hardware performed well. I was the week link as MSK requires a significantly different operator procedure and keeping track of MSK, texting, and monitoring Slack while cramped in a pickup cab was a challenge. Getting old I guess. I will be making a run down to EN14/15 during my stay in Fargo. Date TBD. I will be driving a 4WD Ford F-150 equipped with a 30' pushup mast on a trailer hitch mount. My system is a Yaesu FT987D feeding a 6m amp running at 350-400 watts to a monoband 6m stressed moxon. Power will be supplied by multiple deep cycle batteries charged off of the alternator when moving through an RV battery isolator. This setup is basically ythe same as what I ran during my rare-grid expeditions back in 2011-2013 and it worked very well. FAIR DISCLOSURE: 1) this is a road trip to ND and back with gridding thrown in with the priority being on getting back and forth within the allowed schedule. If something has to give due to construction, weather, rerouting, etc, the schedule takes priority. 2) Short notice adverse weather enroute is a DEFINITE possibility. If faced with deteriorating road conditions due to weather I will reroute (discretion being the better part of valor). With the normal winter weather patterns along most of the planned route, there aren't a lot of options to return to the schedule as a divert means heading East. 3) I use a 4' section 30' pushup mast. If it gets wet and then the temps drop below freezing, it may be difficult to raise it. This could affect the early operating locations until the sun can warm up the sections so they will extend. That being said, I understand that people are setting aside time based on my schedule so I will sail as close to the wind as prudence allows and try to meet expectations. I did calculate travel times using lower base driving speeds so there is some 'slop' time built in. If I have to abort, I will be going to ND every three to four months or so so I can try again. The operating plan for each location is to run MSK144 for the scheduled times. If no activity is observed after a 30 minute period, I may depart for the next location. If Es presents, I may switch to SSB. In any case, unless I am ahead of schedule, I will depart at the end of each scheduled time after arrival so as to stay on or ahead of schedule. Watch Slack (PJ as backup) as I will post timing adjustments. I expect that I will have cell data coverage in most locations and will be monitoring and coordinating via Ping Jockey. Since some of these grid locations will undoubtedly lack cell coverage, I will try to stick to my published plan and will depend on others to post to Slack/PJ/etc for me when I am heard. When I am out of cell coverage, please attempt to self-organize on Slack/PJ to take turns. This worked well in the past. For MSK; I will be using the 'most-rare' grid at my operating location as my MSK exchange. If no internnet I will Tx my full grid line between QSOs. If I am on a grid boundary, I will Tx both grids (i.e. 'CN9303' - meaning CN93 & DN03). If I am in a single grid, I will use that (i.e. DM45). I will be announcing on Slack and will be on APRS.fi as NJ0W-7 so it may be possible to discern my grid by the gps lat/long (I use my HT as my GPS to determine the grid line). When working Es, I will start CQ'ing on 50.125 USB phone only and will base beam azimuth on openings. I will announce QSY to a higher open frequency and operate there as long as I have callers. 50.138 will be my first choice of QSY frequency and if not available I will step up from there to the first clear frequency. My tri-band HT has dual Tx/Rx with 5w output and it will be running APRS on 2m (NJ0W-7). Flagstaff, AZ to Fargo, ND: 21-23 November
Notes: Many of the grid boundaries are in ditches alongside roadways so are only accessible if it is dry (as in no rain/snow/etc). Planned times will be maintained as much as possible but weather, road conditions, inaccessible locations, and planning errors can cause detours and delays. I have researched or have operated before from the planned locations and they should all be accessible, but in previous years I encountered numerous instances of new 'No Trespassing' postings and wet ground that kept me from getting where I wanted too. In other words, I will try but I cannot guarantee success. Planned Grid Boundaries should not be an issue. However, if upon arrival access has changed, alternate boundary locations will be attempted. If not available within a reasonable time, the scheduled time will be split between the two grids. Worst case, a Slack poll or lesser rare two grids will will be used to determine which will be dropped.
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |