Amateur Radio Station WD8RIF | 2013 Scorch Your Butt Off

For the first running of this event, Eric chose to operate from Athens, Ohio's Highland Park while his wife and son ran errands and shopped for groceries. Eric was able to spend about 90 minutes at the park; during this time he successfully erected his 44' doublet at about 25' and, despite poor propagation caused by a solar storm, made four QSOs on 20m using his Elecraft K2 and Whiterook MK-33 paddle. Power was provided by the K2's internal battery and was supplemented by Eric's Powerfilm (link) FM15-300N 5-watt foldable photovoltaic panel.

The highest temperature Eric recorded while at the key was 87°F; the 56% relative humidity reported by the National Weather Service meant Eric didn't qualify for the x2 temperature-multiplier. Of the four stations worked, the highest temperature was reported by KK4DMT in North Carolina as being 100°F.