FOBB 2007 NORDHOUSE DUNES WILDERNESS AREA

 

By Harcourt Quick,  w8bhk

  

 

 

 

 

 

Here's two PDF map sites for the Dunes Area

 

cm_nordhouse_wild.pdf

 

cm_nordhousedunes_wild_txtonly.pdf

 

 

 

Jane, kc8tsg (who did all the photography work) and I left Ludington, Michigan on the most beautiful day. It was a warm bright sunny morning and as they say "picture perfect".  Not like my FOBB in 2006 when I got rained out.

We drove to the northern part of Mason County and picked up Nurnberg Road and headed straight west to the very end of the road.  This is where we parked the truck, paid our $3 dollar user permit for the day and got on the trail for our 1.2 mile hike to the shores of Lake Michigan.

 

 

 

 

Nearing the dune shoreline, but before you can see the lake, there's this wonderful fresh smell in the air and you know your getting very close to your destination.  We go a short distance farther following the sandy trail toward the shoreline where everything opens up to the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan.

 

 

 

Jane helps me setup my dipole antenna and portable mast next to a small tree so we can have some shade and a good view of the lake.

 

 

 

Bumble Bee #19 can now hookup his ZM-2 atu and kneeboard station.  In December 2004 I submitted an article to Richard Fisher, titled " QRP On The Fly" and since then I've build a ATS-3 transceiver, so it was only natural that I incorporate the radio to my kneeboard.

 

 

 

Here's a view from BB #19 operating location looking out over the lake and one picture looking back from the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

I worked 20 and 40 meters and there was lots of qsb on the bands, but did manage to work 12 BB and 3 non BB.

 

Had to do a little swimming when I needed a break and laugh at Jane doing the dog paddle. It's a good thing she has a since of humor or I'd be dead along time ago.

 

 

Picture looking down the beach.

 

 

 

List of stations worked:

 

20 meters

 

kd4oro  AL

aa1my  ME

w2agn  NJ

kr7w    WA

k4bai   GA

k7tq     ID

k6ei     CA

 

40 meters

 

n9ne   WI

wd9f   IL

w3bbo IN

ka2kgp NY

kt9e     IN

wb3aal PA

aa1my  ME

k3tw    MD

 

Jane and I had a wonderful day and it was one of the best FOBB adventure trips to date, but then all good things have to come to an end, so we packed up for the hike out. We decided that this is one area that will get more use next summer and maybe some skiing in the winter months.