LEFARS field weekend, in the middle of May can go either way with the weather. This year we were lucky, and while the sun did shine, the HF bands had other ideas.
Equipment used
Antenna
7 MHz – 1/4 wave ground mounted vertical with 4 elevated radials
Power
Car V2L
The weekend’s HF operation centred around 7 MHz, operating both SSB and FT8 data modes, the bands were hard going with a high K index and poor propagation.
I was able to test out a cheap “sun shelter” that provided me with much needed shade in the sunny conditions.
I use a lightweight portable aluminium table that is easy to pack into the car.
The weekend consisted of 109 QSO in total, 20 SSB, and the remainder FT8
The best DX for the weekend was FM4LV from Martinique
I also completed some operating alfresco on Friday evening, it was cold once the sun had set!
Equipment used
Spider Beam 12m pole – for 7MHz antenna
Electric fence posts – for elevated radials