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The 2009 N2GWK APE was located at Lake Cumberland State Park in Columbia Kentucky. Once again N2GWK was accompanied by the XYL who proved her salt by assisting, or should I say managing, the pre-trip logistics. Our road trip was a mere 90 miles from our home QTH but the trip turned out to be a 2.5 hour drive. This was due mainly to two lane country roads and what seemed to be a major highway renovation project from Point A to Point B. All in all though, we saw some gorgeous farmlands and several towns we had heard of, but had never visited. |
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Upon arrival at Lake Cumberland we
checked in and proceeded to Cottage #505. We were less than excited
when we saw the pathway down to the cottage. But we still proceeded to
unpack the vehicle and lug all the necessities down to the cottage.
After about 3 hours without a trace on the waterfall we struck out in search of a better operating position.
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Directly across from our signal starved cottage #505 was cottage #510. Cottage #510 was on the top of the hill and overlooked all the other 500 series cottages. Using an FT817 and an Outbacker Perth Antenna, we took a quick ‘listen’ to 14.070 MHz and heard the melodious tones of multiple PSK-31 signals on the waterfall. After a short drive to the main lodge, we were transferred from Cottage #505 to Cottage #510. We broke camp and within an hour we were in Cottage #510. Our thanks go out to the more than accommodating staff of Lake Cumberland State Park for allowing us to move.
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Our new location was still a bit on the ‘hilly’ side which somewhat limited where we might stand up the vertical on its tri-pod. Since we had no intention of using our cottage’s fire pit, we erected the 31 ft vertical next to it. Compared to our previous antenna location, this location was a dream. We were able to connect all 8, 30 ft radials, and stake the vertical down securely with aluminum tent stakes. The antenna was fed with coax to an LDG 1:1 Balun at the base of the antenna.
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Our operating position was inside the cabin. The equipment consisted of a Yeasu FT-857D, LDG Z100 Auto Tuner, and the SignaLink, USB Interface between the Yeasu and a Dell Laptop. Software was Ham Radio Deluxe V4.0, and DM780. The FT857 / tuner and power supply are all prewired and affixed to a wire rack/platform. I shortened the legs of a standard wire kitchen dish rack (from Lowes) that sits nicely inside a laptop roll-aboard case. The laptop rides under the wire rack when packed. Since all the equipment on the rack is pre-wired, one can just pull it out of the laptop case and connect it to the antenna, A/C Power and laptop. All DC Power connections are made with Anderson Power Pole connectors. Replacing the A/C power with a DC Power source is a simple matter of unplugging one and plugging in the other.
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The new operating position was great. There were lots of traces on the waterfall, and there were many answers to our CQ’s. The N2GWK APE ran from August 14 @ 2000 UTC to August 17 11:41 UTC. During that time, we made 89 APE QSO’s with some really great DX. 23 of those 89 QSO’s were PODXS070 Members.
Again, the toughest part of the trip was ending it.
I wonder where we will be next year.
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N2GWK APE QSO LOG
Date |
Time |
Station |
Band |
Mode |
Locator |
Name |
070 # |
S/P/C |
8/14/2009 |
20:02 |
AA5AT |
30m |
PSK31 |
EM40kn |
Don |
|
LA |
8/15/2009 |
0:07 |
CO2NO |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL92 |
Gustavo |
|
Cuba |
8/15/2009 |
0:18 |
VE3NOO |
40m |
PSK31 |
FN14he |
Michael |
|
ON |
8/15/2009 |
0:22 |
NO8R |
40m |
PSK31 |
EN73hg |
Delows |
777 |
MI |
8/15/2009 |
0:27 |
CO8LY |
30m |
PSK31 |
FL02la |
Edwardi |
|
Cuba |
8/15/2009 |
0:40 |
K3ML |
30m |
PSK31 |
EL94gq |
Mel |
|
FL |
8/15/2009 |
0:54 |
WD4FNY/0 |
30m |
PSK31 |
DM78ot |
Bill |
|
CO |
8/15/2009 |
1:01 |
CM3RPN |
40m |
PSK31 |
EL82st |
Nivaldo |
|
Cuba |
8/15/2009 |
1:10 |
W1/E74OF |
40m |
PSK31 |
FN34ki |
Pedja |
|
VT |
8/15/2009 |
1:36 |
WB3FME |
40m |
PSK31 |
FM18lw |
Mark |
|
DC |
8/15/2009 |
12:13 |
JM7OLW |
20m |
PSK31 |
QM07fo |
Suke |
|
Japan |
8/15/2009 |
13:00 |
N1KPW |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN31xo |
Greg |
|
CT |
8/15/2009 |
13:12 |
XE1XSJ |
20m |
PSK31 |
EK09eh |
|
|
Mexico |
8/15/2009 |
13:19 |
K3PRN |
20m |
PSK31 |
FM18rx |
Don |
677 |
MD |
8/15/2009 |
13:31 |
NY4FL |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL96dd |
Dick |
477 |
FL |
8/15/2009 |
13:39 |
W1/E74OF |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN34ki |
Pedja |
|
VT |
8/15/2009 |
14:31 |
KK1X |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN42en |
John |
325 |
MA |
8/15/2009 |
14:39 |
KX8C |
20m |
PSK31 |
EN91bg |
Jim |
636 |
OH |
8/15/2009 |
14:50 |
VA3TPS |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN04pm |
Steve |
526 |
ON |
8/15/2009 |
15:04 |
W7PAQ |
20m |
PSK31 |
DN36 |
Frank |
354 |
MT |
8/15/2009 |
15:12 |
N9UUP |
20m |
PSK31 |
EN53sb |
Jeffrey |
|
WI |
8/15/2009 |
15:26 |
YV4DHS |
20m |
PSK31 |
FK60af |
Homero |
|
Venezuela |
8/15/2009 |
15:33 |
K5WTA |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM90 |
Jake |
|
FL |
8/15/2009 |
15:49 |
N2QGV |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL98io |
Art |
|
FL |
8/15/2009 |
16:02 |
KU1T |
20m |
PSK31 |
FM19fa |
Zibi |
769 |
VA |
8/15/2009 |
16:09 |
AD5ZA |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM12 |
Jim |
633 |
TX |
8/15/2009 |
16:18 |
KB3FN |
20m |
PSK31 |
FM09op |
Lynn |
223 |
MD |
8/15/2009 |
16:28 |
KB3RJH |
20m |
PSK31 |
FM19kp |
Anthony |
|
MD |
8/15/2009 |
18:14 |
N1BSA |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN31hv |
Chris |
|
CT |
8/15/2009 |
18:18 |
KD0CES |
20m |
PSK31 |
DN81dt |
Harley |
|
NE |
8/15/2009 |
18:27 |
KD2WL |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN13dg |
Bud |
|
NY |
8/15/2009 |
19:15 |
W2GSB/LH |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN 30 jp |
Walter |
|
NY |
8/15/2009 |
19:21 |
K1CGI |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL87sf |
Victor |
993 |
FL |
8/15/2009 |
19:33 |
KT4NM |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL97tp |
John H |
298 |
FL |
8/15/2009 |
19:43 |
NP2G |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN21ga |
Eddie |
|
Virgin Is. |
8/15/2009 |
19:52 |
4A3YLH |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL61 |
El Cuyo |
|
Yucatan Mexico |
8/15/2009 |
20:00 |
W5KAM |
20m |
PSK31 |
DM80ao |
Ken |
700 |
TX |
8/15/2009 |
20:13 |
KD1NA |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN42ls |
Dave |
|
MA |
8/15/2009 |
20:41 |
KA1PPV |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN31 |
Joe |
|
CT |
8/15/2009 |
20:50 |
KP3RE |
20m |
PSK31 |
FK78eh |
|
|
Puerto Rico |
8/15/2009 |
20:58 |
VE6VK |
20m |
PSK31 |
DO21xa |
Russ |
|
Canada |
8/15/2009 |
21:40 |
K4WMN |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM90ec |
Wade |
|
FL |
8/15/2009 |
21:51 |
N2EOC |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN20 |
Chuck |
563 |
NJ |
8/15/2009 |
22:10 |
GM0SDV |
20m |
PSK31 |
IO75ws |
Victor |
|
Scotland |
8/15/2009 |
22:26 |
AE5ER |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM02wt |
Cecil |
|
TX |
8/15/2009 |
22:32 |
ON4AXU |
20m |
PSK31 |
JO21qe |
Gerard |
|
Belgium |
8/15/2009 |
22:41 |
W4SPZ |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL88pf |
Lawrence |
|
FL |
8/15/2009 |
23:10 |
IW8CGX |
20m |
PSK31 |
JN70rx |
Valerio |
|
Italy |
8/15/2009 |
23:26 |
DL2OCE |
20m |
PSK31 |
JO41xw |
Harald |
|
Fed. Rep. of Germany |
8/15/2009 |
23:48 |
W8KID |
40m |
PSK31 |
EN63uh |
Dick |
|
MI |
8/15/2009 |
23:58 |
AA6NN |
20m |
PSK31 |
DM14cc |
Johanes |
|
CA |
8/16/2009 |
0:04 |
HA6ZB |
20m |
PSK31 |
KN 07cs |
Gyuri |
|
Hungary |
8/16/2009 |
0:09 |
IS0BOZ |
20m |
PSK31 |
JM49le |
Manuel |
|
Sardinia |
8/16/2009 |
0:15 |
TG9AHM |
20m |
PSK31 |
EK44ro |
Emmanuel |
|
Guatemala |
8/16/2009 |
0:27 |
HP1AVS |
30m |
PSK31 |
FJ08ph |
Victor |
635 |
Panama |
8/16/2009 |
0:31 |
YV1PX |
30m |
PSK31 |
FJ49si |
Roberto |
|
Venezuela |
8/16/2009 |
0:44 |
KP4ED |
40m |
PSK31 |
FK68wi |
Luis |
693 |
Puerto Rico |
8/16/2009 |
0:55 |
H81L |
20m |
PSK31 |
FJ09ea |
|
|
Panama Canal |
8/16/2009 |
1:09 |
WG5T |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM15 |
Bill |
491 |
OK |
8/16/2009 |
1:27 |
K0PSK |
40m |
PSK31 |
EM29da |
Don |
804 |
KS |
8/16/2009 |
1:43 |
K4WY |
30m |
PSK31 |
FM18 |
John |
|
VA |
8/16/2009 |
1:51 |
W5VGR |
30m |
PSK31 |
EL29kn |
Don |
293 |
TX |
8/16/2009 |
2:01 |
KD1BD |
30m |
PSK31 |
FN31 |
Dave |
|
CT |
8/16/2009 |
2:12 |
W1ZI |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN32rk |
John |
|
MA |
8/16/2009 |
2:19 |
K6VVK |
20m |
PSK31 |
CM87wk |
Vincent |
|
CA |
8/16/2009 |
2:29 |
K0FBV |
40m |
PSK31 |
EN41rn |
Vic |
810 |
IA |
8/16/2009 |
2:38 |
K8CKC |
40m |
PSK31 |
EN91ej |
Mike |
|
OH |
8/16/2009 |
2:47 |
KB8OIE |
40m |
PSK31 |
EN82dr |
Paul |
|
MI |
8/16/2009 |
2:59 |
RA0FLP |
20m |
PSK31 |
QN16jp |
Leo |
|
Asiatic Russia |
8/16/2009 |
3:08 |
WA7HDZ |
20m |
PSK31 |
DN06if |
Larry |
404 |
WA |
8/16/2009 |
3:18 |
W1/E74OF |
30m |
PSK31 |
FN34ki |
Pedja |
|
VT |
8/16/2009 |
3:27 |
N2LZ |
40m |
PSK31 |
EL87uv |
Dave |
|
FL |
8/16/2009 |
11:31 |
N4CTC |
40m |
PSK31 |
DM79jt |
Bob |
|
CO |
8/16/2009 |
11:39 |
VK4TUX |
40m |
PSK31 |
QG62dk |
Adrian |
|
Australia |
8/16/2009 |
12:10 |
KC2MOT |
40m |
PSK31 |
FN12fr |
Mark |
|
NY |
8/16/2009 |
12:23 |
WT2W |
40m |
PSK31 |
FN12 |
Jim |
|
NY |
8/16/2009 |
12:37 |
PI110HL/LH |
20m |
PSK31 |
JO21bx |
|
|
Netherlands |
8/16/2009 |
12:58 |
4L1QX/MM |
20m |
PSK31 |
FM41lh |
Emin |
|
Bermuda |
8/16/2009 |
13:08 |
N1FCC |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN42lw |
Dave |
|
NH |
8/16/2009 |
13:16 |
WM6V |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM20mr |
Florence |
|
TX |
8/16/2009 |
13:28 |
CO2JD |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL92 |
Juan |
|
Cuba |
8/16/2009 |
13:43 |
KA1GMN |
20m |
PSK31 |
EM12ku |
Phil |
|
TX |
8/16/2009 |
14:05 |
W3MEL |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN10xl |
Mel |
706 |
PA |
8/16/2009 |
14:18 |
CO2WL |
20m |
PSK31 |
EL82sx |
Lazaro |
|
Cuba |
8/16/2009 |
14:21 |
YV1PX |
20m |
PSK31 |
FJ49si |
Roberto |
|
Venezuela |
8/16/2009 |
14:30 |
RX0AE |
20m |
PSK31 |
NO66ka |
Peter |
|
Asiatic Russia |
8/16/2009 |
14:40 |
W8L /LH |
20m |
PSK31 |
EN66 |
John |
|
MI |
8/16/2009 |
14:50 |
K1GMD |
20m |
PSK31 |
DM84ij |
Phil |
411 |
NM |
8/17/2009 |
11:41 |
VE1CDD/P |
20m |
PSK31 |
FN84ds |
John |
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NS |