2012 PA QSO Party

This year for the PA QSO Party a a few of us decided to leave the clubhouse and head up to the cold north lands of "God's Country" in Potter county.   We took our campers and setup camp in the Potter County Family Campgrounds across from the historic Potato Inn.

Campers were setup up in a light flurry.

Antennas were constructed and radios setup and we were ready to be on the air

Woody (K3YV) building dipoles.

Mike (N3LI) supervising

Woody (K3YV) building yet another dipole

Eric (W3EDP) Working the party.

We worked the contest and were short a few counties but overall a good effort.

Assateague National Seashore

This week I'm camping on Assateague island in the MD  in the national seashore.

While horseback riding is the main goal here ham is seeking its way in.   I am running my Ten-Tec 555 Scout on 20m in the general portion of the band.   I will be activating the island for Islands On The Air   http://www.rsgbiota.org/index.php NA-139 at location FM28KEDJ.
I hope to hear from a few people despite my low 20m dipole tied to the popup.

A dozen contacts were made from as far away as Michigan, Mississippi, and Moscow RU. I was able to participate with Jamboree on the Air 2012 and talk to a few Scouts. Unfortunately the 20 band did not allow me to make a 2 way contact with friends in State College and the campsite, horses and trailers did not allow for the 40m antenna to be setup.
I attempted to get my activation listed via htttp://www.rsgbiota.org and entered my information about the trip multiple times via their form and for a day it showed up as an activation but has since disappeared.  So my activation of Assateague may not be valid as far as they are concerned. I will still make  and send out a special QSL card for it with grid square, and island info as well as a nice photo of a Assateague horse.
I will add a list of contacts shortly and get QSL cards out soon.

 For now we say goodby to Assateague till next year and hope the ponies weathered hurricane Sandy well.