Little Thunder QRP FYBO 2004
Again this year the Little Thunder QRP club went out and participated in the FYBO contest. FYBO is a short form for Freeze Your Buns Off. It’s a contest sponsored by the Arizona Scorpions QRP Club.
The premise is to get QRP’ers to the field to set up and operate. The point system is weighted on a temperature scale; the colder it is at the operating position the more points each QSO is worth.
Well you know with the temps we get here in Northwestern Ontario we just have to do well!
This year a hardy group of 6 stalwarts and 2 guests were there to FYBO, VE3ATC, VE3AXL, VE3EFZ VE3FLB, VE3KRP and VE3XT. Logan, AXL’s nephew later joined us, for an introduction to QRP to the field.
As you can see we set up a QTH of plastic sheeting and tarps and were quite warm and toasty in our temporary shack, even though the temp was -10 C (20 F)!
We had a nice selection of rigs to choose from, including two FT-817’s and a K1. So we were operating both cw and ssb, so there was a mode for everyone. The antennas were put up just before the operating session started and were two endfed vertical / long wires. We also had a nifty little Miracle Whip Multi Band Antenna that also gave a good accounting of it.
Left to right: VE3FLB, VE3EFZ, VE3AXL, VE3ATC, VE3KRP, VE3XT
I would like to give a special mention to my XYL, Rita for the chili and buns and her mobile soup kitchen that arrived at just the right time to ward off the cold.
While we only made 5 QSO’s if the fun factor can be used we came in first place. But this also lets us plan for next year, and then look out! Hope you can make plans to join us also.
Bill VE3XT