Texas Panhandler — Roving in DM84-85-86-96

It’s long past time to wander out to the Texas Panhandle and put a few grids on the air. Here are my plans for the 2022 ARRL June VHF Contest, including some activations before the contest.

Panhandle Past Experiences

You may recall my first Texas Panhandle rover experience for the ARRL June 2019 Contest. I discovered that there are few VHF stations within the normal range of 144 and 432. Thanks to Dan, W5AFY, for working me on those bands and adding activity outside the few 6 meter sporadic E openings.

My experience in 2021 was before and during the CQ WW VHF contest from the DM85 and DM86 grid line. That was generally successful before the contest in adding the grids to a few logbooks. During the contest, the 6 meter openings were few and far between. That, coupled with a thunderstorm, shut my operations down on Saturday, and I gave it up.

2022 Panhandle Plans

Well, I’m back for more. June might make for better Es openings, and it lines up with a family trip to my daughter’s small ranch in DM85. Here’s how I hope the trip will go.

• June 8, Wednesday — DM85xk — testing gear and making sure all works.
• June 9, Thursday — DM85xk — operation with breaks for family time.
• June 10, Friday — DM84vx — all-day operation, not sure how early for a start.
• June 11, Saturday —
  • DM84vx — on in the morning and run through the contest start.
  • DM85xk — 5 PM and into the evening.
• June 12, Sunday —
  • DM86xc — 8 AM or earlier start.
  • DM96ac — Noon approximately based on travel and setup time.
  • DM95aw — 4 PM unless the openings are poor, it’s back to the ranch.
  • DM85xk — until the end of the contest.

I will be signing K5ND/R for the full activation. Logbook of the World uploads will be under that call sign roughly a week later.

Rover Station

For 6 meters, I’ll be running an IC-9100 into a TE Systems 350 watt amplifier with an AirspyR2 and SDR console for receiving. The antenna will be an M2-3SS 3-element Yagi on a 25-foot fiberglass push-up mast. I’ll be using a generator to power the amplifier.

For 2 meters, I’ll be running an IC-910H into an RF Concepts 170-watt amplifier. The antenna will be a Directive Systems 6-element Rover Yagi. I used this 6 and 2 antenna setup in the 2020 CQ WW VHF Contest. You can see a photo nearby.

Before the contest, I’ll probably be running JTDX FT8, moving to WSJT-X for any MSK144 and Q65 attempts. For the contest, I’ll use WSJT-X in NA VHF Contest mode. I’ll have my headset and footswitch along and dearly hope for pile-ups,

I’ll be monitoring the VHF Slack Rover Rare Grid channel. I’ll do my best to communicate where the antenna is pointing. But typing on messaging systems is not my favorite thing to do.

I hope to put you in the logbook and help a few people add a new grid or two. I would also appreciate your support in adding QSOs to my logbook during the contest.