The new "shack" is working out well.

Located on seven acres with mature oak trees the RV provides a comfortble way to operate portable.

The antenna in use is a Hustler 6BTV equipped with DX Engineering components.

Approximately 3,000 feet of radial wire was used in conjunction with stainless components to insure longevity.

Initial testing looks good and the noise level is very low.

Plan to start on the antenna farm soon ! (Scroll down)

73's

Steve

The two meter array pictured was used to compete in the small station assisted class during ARRL EME contests.

Operating with KA8HOK we were able to work numerous contacts via JT65B.

Approaching 100 contacts per contest via the moon is no easy feat using a pair of 17B2 antennas.

The key to our success was the ability to schedule real time QSO's via N0UK.

Our completion rate was very high considering fixed polarity.

The small station assisted class was the most popular and allowed entry level EME operators a platform to compete.

A decision by the ARRL to eliminate assisted classes resulted in numerous stations withdrawing from competition.

The array was disassembled and EME is no longer worked.

The EME ranks lost several operators as a result of the rules change.

Operators of all skill levels protested and refused to send logs.

Hopefully the assisted classes will return giving small stations a chance to compete against one another !

Steve-KA1VHF