I had the opportunity to set up my radio as NJ2KC on May 29, 2024 at the site of the National Eucharistic Procession, at Saint Mary of the Pines Church, 100 Bishop Way, Manahawkin, NJ. I had received permission from Father Martin O'Reilly, who was a lead organizer of the Eucharistic Procession in the Trenton Diocese. Thank you, Father.
Conditions were less than favorable (again), but it was a beautiful, sunny day in the Trenton Diocese.
The trip up to Manahawkin took a little longer than expected, and my car GPS and phone GPS did not agree. I think my vehicle is set to go the longer route so I have to spend more on gas.
I got my table and radio set up sometime after 1400z, and didn't hear a single voice on the radio until after 1600z. It was so bad, I almost left early. However, I turned on my HT, and there was a net on the Manahawkin repeater! I had a short QSO with Len, KE2ALU, Net Control, and let everybody on the net know what I was doing, and offered our club website to whoever wanted it. Len asked if we had a net, and I provided that information to him also. I'm pleased to say that Len also signed up as a subscriber to our website, so THANKS, Len, for signing up!
Shortly after I went QRT on the HT, the bands started--very slowly--to open up. The stations were low, but I could just make them out. I switched antennas several times, between 15m, 20m and 40m, eventually settling on the 15m band, where I made all of my contacts.
My first QSO was with F4DSK in France. He gave me a 59+5, and seemed surprised I was running a mobile vertical off of my car roof. I then spoke with HA5JI in Hungary, OH6RM in Finland and CN8NOA in Casablanca (Morocco).
After 5-1/2 hours in the blazing sun, I was ready to go QRT, even with only a few contacts in the log. I had eaten a small bag of potato chips, four or five bags of 11 gummy bears each, and drank half a bottle of Coke and half a bottle of water. Mmmm....yummy AND nutritious!
It was not the most productive of days, but it could have been worse. I would have liked to have run a frequency, instead of answering calls; doing so would most likely result in the receipt of more QSL cards to present to Father. However, i f all of my days on the air were 100% DX, I'd be tickled pink.
Our next scheduled Special Event using call sign NJ2KC will be on July 27, 2024 at Discovery House in Hammonton, NJ. That Special Event is listed in QST and on the ARRL website.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Vivat Jesus and 73,
Tom
N2JIE
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