AA2SD/R  testing a Elk Small Compact Beam from the Ebright Azimuth in Delaware

AA2SD/R Rover Operates from the Ebright Azimuth During the 70cm Spring Sprint

Weds April 30th,2025  Ebright Azimuth Delaware FM29FU 400 feet elevation -This was a very slow contest for me, not a lot of band activity after the first hour. I started at the Ebright Azimuth in Delaware at 440 feet elevation FM29 and made several contacts. My second stop was FN20 Chamounix Playing Fields 190 feet elevation, just north of the Philadelphia overlook for 3 contacts, and then on to the Belmont Plateau.

I was able to test a new ELK 70cm beam on the rooftop and stacked halos. The test was very positive and I like the Spring Sprints to get my equipment sorted out for the June VHF Contest. The very small Elk 70 CM beam received excellent reports from the Ebright Azimuth location. This very small beam is small enough to mount on a removable roof rack with a small rotor. I also tested a pair of Freqtester stacked halos, and made several contacts on the go with this new set up.

Elk Antennas 440L8 70 cm Antenna Small and Lightweight on 1.2 pounds “24 Inches Boom”

24 Inch Boom Elk is Effective for Quick Roving - This is my first time testing a super small and lightweight Elk 70cm antenna. This antenna rolls up into a storage bag and includes eight color-coded elements for fast and easy assembly 24 inch long boom. 8.2 dBi gain. 1.3 lbs. This small Elk proved to be very effective for a portable set up on top of my roof rack, and would be an ideal small antenna for hilltopping. It is mounted to a PVC mast with a clevis pin for quick removal. The mini Elk provided additional gain over the stacked Halos and I was able to work several Pack Rats. Additional antenna information can be found here https://elkantennas.com/product/elk-antennas-440l8-70-cm-band-uhf-antenna/

I am a fast quick set up Rover and my priority is quick set up time at each location. With this recent test,  I did not have to take the time to set up a large push up pole for the antennas. All of the contacts were made using a roof rack simple set up the Subaru Outback. I did test FT8 but using this mode is not practical for one man rover set up. Here us a quick 60 second video of the set up https://youtube.com/shorts/iudwjoQyLyw?feature=shared

My operating position from the Subaru Outback checking a local beacon before the start

Quick Summary:

• 16 total contacts from 2 Grids FN20 and FM29, contacts all phone, no FT8 

• FT991A100 Watt Mirage AMP

• Elk 70cm beam roof mounted 8 elements  Elk Antennas 440L8 70 cm Band UHF Antenna https://elkantennas.com/product/elk-antennas-440l8-70-cm-band-uhf-antenna/

• Freqtester dual stacked halos for 70cm  https://freqtester.com/_mgxroot/page_10760.html

Thank you to the sponsors Central States VHF Society, and to all who worked me. I look forward to working with you during the June 2025 VHF  contest, as we will operate from the 100 mile overlook in Jim Thorpe PA,

Spring Sprint Information  we also have two more sprints coming up:

• Microwave (902 MHz and up) Saturday May 3, 2025.  0800 AM – 0200 PM Loca

• l50 MHz Saturday May 10, 2025.    2300z through Sunday May 11, 2025, 0300zhttps://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2025-information73ScottAA2SD/Rwww.aa2sd.com

Thank you to all of the Pack Rats and toThe Central States VHF Society for your support. I hope to work you in the upcoming June Contest !

AA2SD/R 

Scott

www.aa2sd/r

Operating from Belmont Plateau overlook during the Sprint

You can see additional images here on my blog page https://www.aa2sd.com