I visited St Andrews State Park near Panama City, FL to do some Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio RaDAR. I guess today was a checkout in anticipation of the RaDAR contest coming up on April 5th. This was an opportunity to test the KX3 and Alexloop in a Semi Pedestrian Mobile configuration. I call it semi because I only make QSOs at stops when I have the Alexloop planted in the sand. On one side I wear the KX3 in a video case with the top removed, On the other side is a pack with my 10 AH LiFePO4 battery plus all the miscellaneous items.
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I started on the North side of the park at the pier. The skies were clear but the wind was extra chilly about 10 AM. I worked AB5RE in Lubbock TX on 14.060.
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I notice the pelicans were cold and hungry. They gathered at the fish cleaning station.
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Near the pier is a picnic table. I took advantage of that and worked locals K4GXV, WB4BLX and N4STC on 146.565 simplex. Then I worked K4GXV, WB4BLX on 18.078 CW. Ron KK4DWE came out to join me. Continuing at the picnic table I got N0KV Ellis County TX on 18.136 SSB. Last contact was IW2HAJ on 28.402 SSB. I was kind of beat up by the cold but Ron inspired me to continue the 1 kilometer walk to Sandy Point.
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The walk is next to the Grand Lagoon which has lots of boat traffic and fisherman. The most frequent question was What are you tracking with the loop? I have thought up a good response: Orcas! Seen any?
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Ron KK4DWE
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Greg N4KGL wearing the semi pedestrian mobile pack up.
At Sandy Point on 17 meters SSB I worked KA2WDV in New York it was a struggle. That was followed by the best contact of the day. It was KB8HHA in Ohio who gave me a solid S9 on his meter and we had a nice chat. I worked locals WB4BLX and K4GXV on two meters and 17 meters SSB from the point as well. I wanted to make use of the leg key while standing and I snagged N7KY in Jackson, TN on 14.055. I did a number of CQs hoping to get some RaDAR buddies but no luck this time.
I'd say the pack up did well for RaDAR. I carried no extras like my table or chair. I hope I am spared the chilly winds and any rain on April 5th!
73s Greg N4KGL