The VA3KS Memorial Event...

It was 1C (33F) and raining when I left home this morning, it quickly turned to wet snow as I travelled north on Highway 15 to Portland Conservation Area. Arriving in the Village of Portland I was met with 5 cm (2") of fresh wet snow and an outside temperature of -4C (28F). Not the weather I had expected.

I was hoping that everything would go well for the VA3KS Memorial Event, in fact it went much better than I anticipated.

Propagation today was: SFI=119, SN=66, A Index=6, and the K Index=2. Not the best numbers, but usable. 

Looking at the POTA Spot page I decided to start the activation on 15m, that was a good idea. First in the log today was Ryszard, SP8DJY. He was quickly followed by 16 other European DX Stations. The furthest contact was with SY2BEW in Greece, he was 7,621 km away, and he gave me a 55 signal report, not too bad for 10w QRP into a 15m Hamstick!

Stations were worked in Poland, Germany, Finland, Austria, France, Spain, Ukraine, Italy, Greece, USA, and Canada. Throughout the day 40m, 15m, 10m, and 12m were used. I had planned on trying 20m as well, but it was so busy I thought it best to give it a miss. 

My good friend Eric, VE3DN, also activated Shirley's Bay in the afternoon to take part in the event. I believe there might have been a few others who also took part in the Ottawa area.

For this activation I used both the POTA spotting page and the WWFF spotting page, well worth the effort considering the contacts I got out of it. I will definitely use them again.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!