WRTC 2006 Departure Thoughts
Posted: Jul 2, 2006 05:56 PDT

Hello Guys & Gals

I'll be leaving for Brazil & WRTC 2006 this evening (Sunday July 2nd) on AA overnight to SaoPaulo - then on TAM from SP to Florianopolis arriving tomorrow afternoon July 3rd. My partner Tom Frenaye, K1KI, is already there touring Brazil and, I hope, avoiding paranhas in the Amazonia region!

Personally I am really looking forward to being on Santa Catarina island and seeing the Costao do Santihno resort again as I have been at this place several times before. The island is unbelievably scenic resembling the Carmel and Monterey region of California. Weatherwise, temperatures of high 60's/low 70's each day and cooler nights will suit me just fine - although cold for the locals who prefer it hotter as in their summer.

For those coming to "hang out" and just see the place and experience what goes on at a WRTC event, I think you will really find the resort a spectacular venue and the all night beer and "bullsessions" just like the contest supersuite at Dayton on the Mezzanine floor - the only difference will be the setting - as all the "boys" will be there.

The partying and talking goes on all night long from arrival to finish and it will be quite normal to find some diehards still at it at 7AM as the breakfast service begins each morning!

I am going as a competitor, my third chance to compete, and Tom Frenaye and I think we have what we need in order to be ready for this one. Like all competitors, we are hoping for a good site - meaning a reasonable location, free from man-made noise, with takeoff to the N-NE free from too many encumbrances. At WRTC 2002 N6ZZ and I had to set-up twice when our first site had a 20 over S9 noise level on 20/15/10M. At that one, we finished our SECOND setup about 20 minutes before the contest bagan and were not really "ready" - so the third one I hope will be a charm. But it's all in the location draw - so like everyone else - we will take our chances and hope for the best. After that, it's up to the operators to see what they can do and that's what makes the WRTC so special. Unlike any other contest, operator skills largely determine the outcome - rather than geographic location or antenna advantages. This means that guys from the BLACK HOLE are just as equal as those from W1 in this one and its a total crapshoot how its going to turn out in the end. With the absence of perennial champs N5TJ/K1TO, I have a few personal favourites as to what the top 5 may look like, but I will save those thoughts until it is over and then share them - just to see if I was close in my thinking - HI.

If you are coming to Florianopolis and have a rental car, I suggest touring the island and seeing the beautiful beaches and scenery. There is one point on the center of the WEST side of the island where you can enjoy a spectacular vista. From a singular site at a "viewpoint" rest area, you can acquire a view of the North Bay, the South Bay and the harbor bridge (to the West) and a spectacular view of a lake and the Atlantic ocean (to the East/Southeast). Not to be missed is the capital city itself - Florianopolis - complete with its harbor view drive in the downtown area which resembles Rodeo Drive in the LA area. It is quite a place and I am sure those coming to this one are going to have a wonderful time.

I am looking forward to seeing old friends and drinking a few beers prior to when it is time to get some rest and prepare in earnest for the competition.

More later...

73 JEFF, K1ZM


K1ZM@aol.com

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