The KX1 and 11.5 M fishing pole came along on a recent trip to southern Utah. Our base was a friend's vacation home on the Escalante River, near Calf Creek. On Tuesday, four of us drove 60 km down the Hole in the Rock Road, did a nice hike to an arch, then camped just off the road in the Escalante Desert. My plan was to try to operate the 13Z and 03Z CWTs without inconveniencing my companions too much.
 |
| Bonnie at Broken Bow Arch |
 |
| 13Z QTH |
I put the antenna up in the evening, as I knew it would still be very dark at 13Z. The terrain was fairly open, so I thought I might have a decent signal with the end fed 40 M half wave supported by the pole.
 |
| 13Z View South |
 |
| 13Z View West |
However, the only RBN station I could wake up was K2PO, near Portland, OR.
 |
| 13Z RBN |
So, with the first hint of daylight, I started on 40. It was hard work, but I ended up with 37 QSO's and 36 mults. I stayed on 40 until 1340Z, which was way too long, but I really didn't expect 20 to open up that early. There was no DX, and working the east coast was tough. Conditions weren't too bad and the antenna was in the clear. I suspect all that rock and sand makes for very poor ground conditions, so the ground reflection probably wasn't helping much.
On the way back to the house, we did another hike to some slot canyons. There was no chance to do the 19Z CWT. I can do CWT's at home, but I can't do a hike like that!
 |
| Tunnel Slot Canyon |
The house is right in the bottom of the Escalante River canyon, with high canyon walls in most directions, so I didn't expect much. I did get the antenna up just before dark, and later set up the radio on the patio behind the house.
 |
| 03Z QTH |
 |
| 03Z View West |
 |
| 03Z View Northwest |
That canyon wall doesn't look that high, but it's actually well over 100 meters. The horizon to the west was at about 30 degrees, though it was lower to the east.
A CME was just arriving at 03Z, so conditions were deteriorating. Between that, the canyon walls, and lack of 80 meters, I didn't expect much. I could't raise a single RBN station on 20 or 40. I stuck it out for 45 minutes, and made just 18 contacts, thanks to some really, really good ears at the other end. Apparently N0UR and W1UU took the night off, as I ended up with the high QRP score.
