FYBO 2001 - Snow on the Paddles

Four feet of snow, two sleet squalls, snow falling from trees, and temperatures in the mid 30s made for a great FYBO here in Idaho. I snowshoed about 1/2 mile in the mountains near Elk River, ID to a place where the trees are spaced just right for putting up antennas. All the radio gear was loaded on a sled. Using the trusty slingshot I got two lines so I could pull a double Zepp fed with ladder line up about 50 feet. The antenna tuner in my K2 loaded all the bands from 40 to 10 without trouble. During the antenna work the first sleet squall came through. Next I dug a pit in the four feet of snow and made a comfortable operating chair. Getting from the trail head to the site, erecting the antenna, and setting up the operating pit took about an hour and a half and I was on the air at 1800 Z.

I bounced back and forth on 20, 15, and 10. Each of these bands seemed to be in good shape with enough activity to keep your interest. As it warmed up from 33 degrees and especially when the sun came out, the snow fell out of the trees. I had dug the pit away from any trees, a happy accident, so most of the snow didn't affect me. However, during a contact with K4ADI in FL as he was sending his exchange a blob of snow landed on the paddles causing them to short and send dits and dahs in a meaningless stream. As I was trying to dry them off K4ADI sent a couple of K7TQ DE K4ADI ??? wondering what was going on. I couldn't get them dried off in time to complete the contact.

It seemed a good time for lunch so I got out the Svea stove and fired it up. Out came the can of soup, but there was no can opener to be found. Rats! Oh well, I ate the cookies, pudding, and candy bar instead.

The paddles dried and I was back on the air until sleet squall number two arrived. I covered the K2 and paddles and sat in the falling sleet. This one was a bit longer than the first and at the end much of my stuff was wet from the melted sleet, but not the radio. More operating. Now the paper was wet or damp and the pen didn't write. I struggled with that a bit longer, but finally gave up and packed up and headed back to the car.

 Final total was 43 Qs in 29 S/P/Cs. My temperatures ranged from 33 to 40. There were many familiar calls, a few chats, and a couple of QRO operators as well. A great day to be outside doing radio in the snow. Thanks to all who stopped by for a Q.