Greetings from the Flying Pigs of North Central Tennessee. QRP CW radio is alive and well around here and we spend a lot of or time thinking up different ways to get on the air and have some fun. So while sitting around the trough at our local pig pin (Mc Donald's on Riverside Drive in Clarksville, TN) we decided to go mobile. Terry N5HOT, mentioned that he was going to go to Evansville Indiana for their annual hamfest. Doc NV4T, said he was on for going and I agreed that it would be a blast. Especially because of the CQ World Wide CW contest that was going on the day we would be traveling. Terry agreed to do the driving and was set up to use hisYaesu FT 817D as the rig. Along with his Hustler 40 and 20 meter resonator antennas. We decided to use internal battery power on the 817D and I would work from the front passenger seat on the trip. Lewis KF4WK got stuck around the house and was not able to go.

I picked up Doc at about 6 a.m. and drove over to drop off our vehicle and catch a ride with Terry. When we arrived Terry was all set to go and in a few minutes we were mobile and on the air. I started up the FT 817D and got comfortable. Or al least as comfortable as you can be sitting sideways in the seat and holding the paddle in my lap. I took my last sip of coffee and set to work listening at first, trying to get a feel for the band. I started on 40 meters and went down to 7005. I could not find a spot that did not have someone sending TEST TEST WW. The band was really hopping. I started sending my call to K0IR, Mark in Ordway CO. at about 1245Z. He came back in a heartbeat and one contact was in the log. I moved up a little and called NQ4I, Ralph in Griffin GA. came right back and two down and who knows how many more to go. It seemed that everyone was calling Japan and they were all booming in to our QTH. Also it seemed that everyone was running about 20 to 24 wps. Signals were loud but for about half and hour it seemed that we just were not getting out as good as we had hoped. Just outside Hopkinsville KY. we decided to get a bite to eat. Just as we swung into the restaurant parking lot I heard VE6WZ, Stephen in Calgary AB. Canada come on the air and he sounded great. As Terry was stopping the vehicle I asked for just a few seconds to see if I could get the contact. With the clock ticking I put my call out and he came back to me, it was in the log. Great contact before a good meal with friends. Ya now that is what I am talking about....

After a good meal we got back on the road and on the air. For the next hour I called seven stations but got no response. We arrived and Evansville and did some shopping for all the good radio stuff. I picked up a mic for my friends Kenwood TM 261 and a 2 meter Alinco. Great deals and on top of that I won a door prize. A ten foot long piece of cool looking coax with connectors attached. Great stuff for free.....

After leaving the hamfest we decided to to for lunch at the local casino. Yea you heard me CASINO.... The Casino Aztar is located in Evansville and has a great buffet. After finding a parking spot we worked our way into the casino and I gave the guys a quick tour. we signed up for the green rewards card and made our way around the casino just to show the guys where their money will be stored if they decide to try to win. Yes I have been here before and thought a quick visit of my money would be fun. Laugh out Loud.... After a great lunch at the buffet we got back to the jeep and made for the exit. Once outside the parking garage we stopped and put on the 20 meter antenna. When we got to Evansville we changed batteries in the FT 817D and I was fortified and ready to get back on the air. We worked our way out of town after some less than stellar directions from me and when we saw the state line I started to get to work on the radio.

The 20 meter band was hopping and Japan was loud and clear. Only thing was they could not hear me, man that hurts. So I started with NR4M, Steve in Locust Grove VA. he sent back my call and I was on my way. Next up was WE3C, John in Fleetwood PA. was in the log. Then in the noise I heard SN7Q, Krzysztof Sobon in Poland came back with my call. Now that is what QRP is all about. Not bad for the FT 817D while driving down the highway. Felling good about myself I gave KX2P a shout. Jeff in Bossier City LA. came back to me and he was in the log. I tried a couple of other signals but no luck. Then IR4M came on the air and along with about four other signals on the same spot he picked me. Yea, the Romagna Contest Team in Montecodruzzo Italy chose the right signal to come back to. WA4PIG was in their log and looking good. After all that work I had just one more try left and KA1IOR was the one. Geoffery Way from East Fallmouth MA. came back to me and I was as happy as someone could be. The last call in the log and me with an Excedrin head ache from all the signals running through my head. Now for a little quiet time and some bragging about the contacts we made. We got home and made our way to our respective houses and I am not sure about the guys but I found a quiet place and closed my eyes. Later that night I got a call from Terry and he told me that after checking his FT 817D he found out we were only sending 2.5 WATTS.... Yea 2.5 watts.... Now that is cool QRP...... Thanks for riding along with us on our trip and we hope to see you on the air during our scheduled get together on 40 meters. We meet every day except Sunday on 7125 at 0755 local time. Look for us doing QRS CW as WA4PIG.

 Thanks again and 72...... This is John KM6NN and the Flying Pig gang..... dit dit....