Don VE3MNE, and I set off for Lower Brewers Mill and Washburn Island. George VE3SIQ and the Bob VA3QV went to Upper Brewers Mill Island, about 3 km north of us.
This was actually the very first official club activity since we shut things down for Covid. It was sure nice to get club activities going again. The weather was somewhat cool, with a stiff wind blowing in the morning, but that soon gave way to blue skies and warm temperatures.
When Don and I arrived at Lower Brewers Mill we found that it was a construction site, with no real parking. It turns out that the single lane wooden bridge that takes traffic across the canal is being rebuilt, and the parking lot was filled with construction trailers.
We worked things out and spread out in order to not interfere with each other. The bands were in terrible shape, with very deep QSB and near constant static crashes. The propagation numbers were:
SFI=119, SN=90, A Index=7, and the K Index=4.
So in three hours I managed a grand total of 15 contacts, and Don didn't do much better. The best part of the day was that fellow club member Dave VA3ORP, paddled down the canal from his QTH and joined us for a while. It was nice to catch up with him. I even managed a couple of CW contacts with him as he paddled up and down the canal.
Best contact of the day? Juan-Jose, EC5CSW, in Valencia, Spain. Not too bad for 5w SSB !!
Here's a picture of Dave VA3ORP, as he arrived:
Yes, that's a Hamstick mounted on the Kayak, and a 2.5w tuna can CW rig in his hands.
I wonder what the next adventure will be?
Stay Safe Out There!!
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