K7MDL/P for 2025 Sept VHF Contest on Mt Constitution

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Mike Lewis

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Sep 9, 2025, 11:28:45 PMSep 9
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Doing something different this time, I am operating as a portable station (<10W fixed) from the top of Mt Constitution on Orcas Island in CN88. Will set up on the picnic benches near the observatory tower.

Likely use an IC-705 and my 3-band transverter box and a laptop for digital modes operating on 50, 144, 222, 432, 903, and 1296. Got a couple large Li batteries which should last the duration.

If there is sufficient interest, I can bring the IC-905 and operate 2.3, 5.7 and 10G.

I have a campsite Friday and Saturday night in Moran State Park below the mountain as camping is not permitted overnight. Will bicycle around the park on Friday for fun then Saturday drive up to the top early and set up for 11am start.

Sunday morning, I will go back up to the same spot to catch some new stations. Heading back home on the ferry sometime later Sunday afternoon.


Mike Lewis, K7MDL
CN87xs
 

Mike Lewis

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Sep 11, 2025, 12:01:23 AMSep 11
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Have not heard of anyone planning to operate on 2.3, 5.7. or 10G bands this weekend yet. I will bring my 905 along with antennas for 2.3, 5.7 and 10G bands anyway but leave it in the truck for now. I have to pack all the gear from the parking lot out to the operating area, not going to pack stuff out if it will not be used.

I did a dry run and got 2 antenna tripods set up
1. The IC-905 with a 10GHz dish and multi-band Yagi (600MHz-5.7GHz)
2. IC-705 with 3 -band transverter box, and antennas for 144/432 (ELK LPDA), 222 (ELK LPDA), 903 (short yagi), and 50 (KB6KQ loop, freshly tuned up and painted). I was short 2x 20ft cables, ordered and they will arrive tomorrow, too busy to make cables right now.

I am going to try the Cell/Wifi multi-band yagi this weekend. It is much lighter, easier to carry, though less gain than the multi-band dish I usually use but I figure I will have close to line of sight for most contacts. The 10G is 30inches so a bit rough to carry around at times. Soon I will setup my 1ft and 18in dishes in an effort to make things more portable. With smaller microwave antennas I am more likely to take the IC-905 to the Microwave Update in Tucson next month. Don't want to haul around the big dishes on dirt roads for a month-long road trip, taking all my storage space.

- Mike K7MDL

Mike Lewis

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Sep 11, 2025, 12:42:26 AMSep 11
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Minor correction. I will have 1296 in addition to the 50, 144,222,432,903 bands listed below. Wil also be on SSB and FT-8.
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Mike Lewis

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Sep 13, 2025, 6:13:22 PM (11 days ago) Sep 13
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At 1400ft, not the top as planned.  Seems a bit better, low noise.

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From: Mike Lewis
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 9:42:21 PM
To: k7...@hotmail.com <k7...@hotmail.com>; PNW...@googlegroups.com <PNW...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: K7MDL/P for 2025 Sept VHF Contest on Mt Constitution
 

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