2025 10GHz and Up Contest - Round Two

This is the second weekend of the ARRL 10GHz and Up contest. The first weekend was spent on Block Island, Rhode Island, with Dale AF1T and Micky W1MKY. This weekend was spent much closer to home.

Chincoteague, Virginia - FM27hv

Saturday was busy with other activities, but I met up with Don N3MK at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (POTA US-0561) in Chincoteague, Virginia. Don had found a really good spot atop a sand dune that gave unobstructed takeoff toward New England and, in particular, Martha’s Vineyard. Unfortunately, for me, my station decided to stop functioning during a contact with Ed WA3DRC. I tried to work Ed from the road, on our way back, but I couldn’t even hear him, he hear me, at a distance of just a few kilometers.

Ten Gigahertz contacts

For the contest, I worked 2 contacts on 10GHz (3cm). Stations worked include:

  • WA3DRC

  • N3MK

Summary

I’m disappointed that my station failed. This is the second time I’ve had issues while operating from the Eastern Shore. I’m not sure if this is just bad luck or if there is some force at work that just doesn’t like my operating from the peninsula. Either way, I’m going to have to spend some time troubleshooting everything before my next microwave adventure.

All QSOs have been uploaded to LoTW.