All Day Transmitter Hunt
Originally
I looked at some maps and identified the Gold Divide Mine (http://itouchmap.com/?d=242789&s=CA&f=mine)
as a "location of interest." I couldn't determine from various
maps and websites if the location was accessible or behind the
fences of the Goldstone Observatory area. A scouting trip last
weekend revealed that it was fenced in, so we followed the
fence line road to the west for many miles of lousy road and
eventually wound up at Slocum Mine. Exploration of the canyons
of just north of the mine uncovered one with just the right
elevation, depth and direction to be heard at the PV starting
point yet give give partial blockage from other directions.
Martin WB6YMI, my son Peter and I went out early Saturday morning to plant 3 transmitters. The "Altoids T" was a micro-transmitter putting out a few milliwatts and IDed as "WB6HPW the hidden transmitter" with Peter's voice. It was located at the head of the aforementioned canyon, just a few feet off the road to the west. The Altoids T was used to key up a 25W repeater (called the "Parrot T") connected to an 11 element Yagi planted a bit up the slope on the east wide of the canyon. We had some glitches getting the repeater to key up properly and not either remain silent or broadcast squelch noise, but eventually we got that straightened out. A third transmitter ("Applesauce T") was left at Slocum mine. It had belonged to WA6FAT and its identification concluded with the familiar declaration of "Applesauce."
When the transmitters were
planted, the weather was hot, clear and still. Later in the
afternoon a slight breeze, rain and thunderstorms moved into
the area. There was no rain or lightning in the immediate area
around the transmitters, but that slight 50 MPH breeze blew
over our antennas. Thanks to those hunters to set them upright
again.
Before the wind picked up we
had moved to a spot 2 canyons to the east of the Altoids and
Parrot Ts and set up camp there. We invited hunters to join
us, but only KD6LAJ/KF6GQ took us up on that
offer. They arrived just after dark and so we put on a
"light and music show" for Bob and Kathy, using "lights" and
"musical instruments" made in China and bought out of state.
4 teams (1 unofficial) found at
least 1 transmitter. N6AIN found all three transmitters with
the least mileage and is thereby declared the winner.
Thanks to all those who
participated, thanks to Martin for helping with the hide, to
Peter for convincing me that we had to hide in the desert in
the middle of summer (a more appropriate location the "light
and music show" than high mountain areas) and thanks
especially to KF6GQ for the loan of the Altoids T, the Parrot
T and the antenna for the Parrot T.
Paul WB6HPW
Official results:
Martin WB6YMI, my son Peter and I went out early Saturday morning to plant 3 transmitters. The "Altoids T" was a micro-transmitter putting out a few milliwatts and IDed as "WB6HPW the hidden transmitter" with Peter's voice. It was located at the head of the aforementioned canyon, just a few feet off the road to the west. The Altoids T was used to key up a 25W repeater (called the "Parrot T") connected to an 11 element Yagi planted a bit up the slope on the east wide of the canyon. We had some glitches getting the repeater to key up properly and not either remain silent or broadcast squelch noise, but eventually we got that straightened out. A third transmitter ("Applesauce T") was left at Slocum mine. It had belonged to WA6FAT and its identification concluded with the familiar declaration of "Applesauce."
| Parrot T | ||
| Callsign | Time | Mileage |
| N6AIN | 6:00 PM | 190.9 |
| KD6LAJ/KF6GQ | 6:02 PM | 207.1 |
| WA6RJN | 7:00 PM | 220 |
| Altoids T | ||
| Callsign | Time | Mileage |
| KD6LAJ/KF6GQ | 6:08 PM | 207.1 |
| N6AIN | 6:09 PM | 190.9 |
| WA6RJN | 6:55 PM | 220 |
| Applesauce T | ||
| Callsign | Time | Mileage |
| WA6RJN | 6:25 AM | 218 |
| N6AIN | 6:36 PM | 193 |
| KD6LAJ/KF6GQ | 6:36 PM | 209.6 |
| N6ZHZ / KD6CYG | 7:18 PM |
Unofficial |
