The Loudoun Amateur Radio Group Of Northern Virginia & Its Radio Station K4LRG

Ken Sullivan - KJ4GYL
At The Controls

     Rick Denney - KR9D and Ken Sullivan - KJ4GYL teamed up to captain Station #4 on 20-Meters CW. As you can see above, Rick was ready to ride. Rick provided his Ten-Tec and computer setup. The LARG's 20-Meter 3-Element Tribander was mounted on the LARG's AB-577 Tower.

Erik Werner - KD5CTJ and Jeff Slusher - KE5APC
Had  Some Nice Rates

Luther Guise - K5NOB and Doug Johnson - KJ4BRN
Try their hand at 20-Meters Fone

The Rates At Station #4   Station #4 struggled throughout the exercise. Except for the 1900Z, 2000Z and 1300Z hours, rate were all below 23 and averaged only 10.4 per hour during these 21 hours. Station #4 finished with 338 good QSOs. That's 14 per hour. That's 383 less than 2008's 721 and 25 less than the 8-year average of 363. The station was well equipped and should have had an above Field Day station signal. What happen? Maybe we need a coach? Yes, 20-Meters Phone is challenging; it's not the 2-Meter FM band. You need to force yourself into the QRM, listen down through 2, 3 or 4 layers of QRM, find the strong signals, call twice and move on, continue to look for a slot to run, and constantly move your antenna to match the propagation openings. Hopefully next year we will be better here.

   Ten operators tried to ride this station. Jay - KI4TXP and Rick - KR9D had the most success with 44, 40 and 35 hourly rates.

A 8-Year Performance Perspective of Station #4: 

The Antennas   Station #4 had a very 3-element yagi on a AB-577 Antenna Mast. It was in the clear but with a little up sloping near in grade. It really looked great. Many members learned and helped assemble this fine system.

On Friday Night, A Lot Of Folks helped With The AB-577 Tower and Yagi Antenna

This Cool Antenna Should Have Them Standing In Line To Talk To Us !!!

Jeff Slusher - KE5APC At The Controls
Jeff and Erik had two 40+ hours early on Saturday afternoon

          Some new fellows cut their teeth on 20-Meter Fone. We are sure it was interesting to them. Thanks for helping.