VE6AB Mobile Ops
The Forbidding Landscape
I shot this photo just after tearing down my mast and antennas, after operating in the VHF contest.
The location as shown is located at the end of the road, or at least you can see it from here (well, without the fog!).
While participating in the ARRL VHF contest, I have would have to take a break on occasion, as the fog was a factor while I operated from a location near Rosebud Alberta, and from time to time I would have to lower my antennas and break the ice off of them.
The elements on my tri-band log-periodic would coat up with ice to the point that the SWR would climb to over 3 to 1, and at that point with the power of my Yaesu FT-897D folding back, it was necessary to break the ice off of the antennas.
The reason the ice was building up rather rapidly, was the fact that there was a slight breeze blowing, and with the heavy fog and the ice-crystals being driven by the wind, was causing rapid ice build-up on my antennas.
All in All, I had a good time operating the ARRL January VHF contest, and plan on operating the next VHF contest as well, it was a lot of fun.
Click on the photo for a closer look.....
