Half time remarks
Posted: Jul 8, 2006 16:50 PDT

As noted from my first blog, there were going to be some travel glitches, and sure enough, there were plenty. We arrived the same day we had planned, but very late instead of very early, and not without a total of three cancelled flights and an unexpected bus ride. Now I'm convinced never to check any bags again. If you can't live without what you can carry on, you can get by without!

We are just 15 minutes away from the midpoint in the contest.

I can't tell you which team I'm with, but I can tell you that we are at location #48, on the mainland, just west of the southern tip of the headquarters island. The ocean is 20 feet from my bedroom window. At least it was last night. No sleep tonight, as I'm the referee for my team and can't leave them. This is a 24 hour stay-awake committment. So far, it's been fun listening to the propagation....but I'm sure about dawn, after 80 and 40 meters get played out, it might be a little on the slow side, encouraging a little more caffine intake! My team is a little hindered by a big mountain with the peak at exactly due north. North America is to the left of the peak and Europe to the right of the peak. All teams have the same antennas, but the physical location is by lottery. Our location is very quiet electrically, and I'm sure there are some stations plagued with line noise and other QRM. We just have this mountain in the way!!!

I have gained a few pounds already on this trip! The Brazilian food is to die for! Not hot or spicey, just WONDERFUL! ....and in more than generous quanities!

Here is a picture from our hotel room, back at headquarters. One of the teams is using this antenna.

73!

Glenn PP5/W0GJ

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