Texas QSO Party 2008

I backpacked 4.2 miles to Pine Top camp site, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, for the 2008 Texas QSO Party. The park is in Culberson County, and is east of El Paso, TX, and south of Carlsbad, NM.

A backpack trip in desert mountains requires alot of water.

On the Tejas trail, a long series of switchbacks ascends the side of Pine Springs canyon.

Another view of the switchbacks.

At the trail junction of the Tejas and Bush Mountain trails.

The W5ESE contest station at Pine Top camp site, elevation 8080'.

The AT Sprint 3 transceiver for 80-20m.

I participated in the QRP category, and used an AT Sprint 3 transceiver. This radio kit was designed by Steve Weber, KD1JV, and generates 2-3 watts. The antenna was a Center Fed Zepp, fed by 300 ohm TV twinlead. The transmatch was an Emtech ZM-2.

Many thanks to the Northwest Amateur Radio Society (in Houston) for again sponsoring the Texas QSO Party.