The Ham Radio Station at Bozeman, MT International Rally

[DPeakMD]

I hope you succeed in your dream of going on an DXpedition! An all YL effort would be great!

I'm set up my antenna and try to get Ducie in the log book this week.

[Airboss]

Well looks as if I missed a few posts as I went out last night.. RV service net is 14.305.5. Lots of ragchewers on 75 still. Im on there some..Used to be on it alot more then I am now..I can cover all bands from 2-160. have a 5 element tribander at 75 ft for 10-20 meters with a Icon 756 Pro and a Ameritron AL-82 amp. Ralph (KW8G)

[Airboss]

OOPs I mean 14.307.5 Sorry for the typo... And my radio is a Icom not a Icon..LOL

[Airstream25]

While cooling your heals at Bozeman, why not get a chat net going on Echolink & IRLP. A suggestion would be to use the Echolink *NV-GATE* as it is always linked to the IRLP Western Reflector Channel 8 (9258) full time
to allow communications between IRLP and Echolink nodes.

This would permit Tech class hams to participate in the chat.

Originally Posted by hamradio

Are there any planned HF frequencies at Bozeman? If so please post them and any times if there is a net.

Peter VE7REZ

[Airboss]

Time for Techs to upgrade!!! Ask Airedale (Laura)about Echolink she has done it several times. I will have her look into it. I will have my small Icom 718 in my Airstream and my 706 MKIIG in the truck. I will have it on while we are in Yellowstone too. As time gets closer we can pick freqs to meet on. Everyone should list their Lic Class on here so we can pick the freqs in which to operate so everyone can join in!!

[DPeakMD]

I'm still a General.

[Airboss]

Dallas, what bands can you operate??? You going to Bozeman?? Did you get Ducie?? I worked it on 20,15 and 10 Phone 20 and 15 CW. I did work the first DXpedition there in 2002 so I dont need the card. Airedale worked it on both modes too and she needs the cards...

[DPeakMD]

I've passed the code test, but you definitely would not be impressed by my code skills! SO, those portions of the bands are out for me. Other than that, I'm good for any of the General portions of the phone bands on HF. All my antennas are multi-band. I'm using an Icom 7000. No amp.

[Airboss]

That 7000 is a cool radio Dallas. May look into one for the truck and A/S soon. The local club is selling tickets to win one. Looks as if I better buy one soon..

[airedale]

Yea, I want one too!!! As far as Echolink, but How I have always done it is have conversations with people, not on my own Node. I have to use a Proxy as well, So i dont know how it would work. Maybe Ill just put my call on here for people who want to work the station on echolink, then just count it as a contact. I dont know, I found out more, I havent seen the shack, and what I have to work with. I got Ducie alright, Im so Excitied!!!!!

[Airboss]

Originally Posted by Pick

Hey, anybody do any 75 meter SSB phone anymore? I used to live on there when I was a teenager and in my early 20's. Had a Heath HW12 and 3-400Z Linear Amp. Anybody remember those???

WA8ZYT

Sure do Pick. I remember all the old gear. I still have a few old Hammarlunds around the shack too. I have had alot of old Rx and tx on the air.. Ran some AM stations as well. Had a mint Valiant couple yrs back. I play with the old stuff as well as the new...

[airedale]

So who worked VP6DX?

[Airboss]

Me.....

[airedale]

I did as well, anyone eles?

[Airboss]

Silvertwin did too...

[airedale]

ok, anyone outside of out family work them?

[dick&claire]

I'm new to the Club but will be going to Bozeman for my first WBCCI rally. I can help out at the ham station if needed. I'm installing my ICOM 746 Pro in my Airstream using a Hustler mobile antenna system with two MO3 masts to get resonators (40M and 20M) well above the roof of the AS. I fabricated a bracket that mounts to the storage box at the rear of the trailer. The mount has a secured electrical box cover which binds tightly (100# pull) to the Hustler mag mount. The whole thing comes apart easily for storage while on the road. I will power the radio either with shore power or use the separate 70 amp-hour deep cycle marine battery that I use in my truck to power my ICOM 2M/440CM mobile. I have two problems and would appreciate any advice. First, has anyone experience with rig grounding for HF use? If so what did you do? I was thinking of binding the radio chassis to a 4' copper rod driven into the ground outside the trailer. Second, short of cutting a hole in the window screens, how have you led the coax from the antenna into the trailer? Would appreciate hearing any suggestions or of other hams' experiences.

Dick K1MGH.

[Airboss]

As far as grounding the rig itself..I dont....The coax I ran through the front batt. Box vent holes and drilled a hole just large enough for the coax in the back side of the box and ran it under the couch to the operating position along the side.At Bozeman I will take my Icom 718 as my 756 Pro will be to large. I will also have my Icom 706MKIIG in my truck. I put in to run the Bozeman station and was told to be there on June 16th. Well I emailed him back and told him Im not leaving Michigan till June 22nd as Im a working stiff and taking 2 weeks vacation and would not be able to arrive that soon. After sending him 2 emails and not hearing a word back on this matter. I gave up. Sure not sending him a 3rd thats for sure. Ralph KW8G

[DPeakMD]

Nice to hear from you, Dick and welcome! Sounds like you have a nice setup there for your antennas. One way you might consider for getting coax into the trailer is through the refrigerator compartment and then into the living space through a wall or cabinet. It's worked well for me on the 70's trailers. I'm not sure about the new ones. I've always just grounded to the trailer shell. I know it's not what the grounding purists would consider the ultimate ground, but it has worked for me.

[Airboss]

One thing I didnt mention was I have a mount on my trailer tongue for a 6 ft copper pipe 1 1/2 in diameter that extends above my Airstream and a Hustler on top of that...RES