We have finally left winter behind as we have had no snow for the last week. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are getting warmer. The snow is melted away except for those areas on the north side of the house and garage. The Robin's have arrived and the lake is changing from ice to water. With the change of season comes the change in bands. The high bands are open longer as 10 & 6 meters begin to wake up.
I have our travel trailer all prepared for our summer adventures and I'm looking forward to some portable operating. It won't be long before I put my Hexbeam up and I begin to enjoy 17 and 12 meters with a beam! I'm hoping to start that project by next weekend, hopefully!
My operating has been hit and miss with a few hours here and a few hours there. I worked over 100 stations this weekend in the VOLTA RTTY Contest when I had time. I would take a break from my outdoor activities, drop by the shack and work a few stations then return outdoors. The path to Europe was pretty darn good and I heard European stations day and night.
As the midnight sun returns and the days get longer, my operating time gets shorter. I have to enjoy the sun while I can. Summers are short enough and having the window open to the shack while listening to the sweet sound of CW is just refreshing! It will be even more refreshing from some remote location operating portable. I'm looking forward to posting a few new YouTube video's and of course, more blogging of our summer fun which radio will always be a part of the plan.
Hi Phil, hope to work you on 17 or 12 with your new antenna. 73, Bas
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