October 2009
Leatherman Surge Saves the Day for Ham Radio Expedition
In late October an international Ham Radio competition is conducted that brings together Amateur Radio operators via the airwaves from all over the world. Since 2002 an intrepid group of Amateurs (Hams) from Pennsylvania and Canada have traveled to a remote region of northern Quebec to activate a rare part of the world for other stations to contact.
Andy - KD3RF, Irwin - KD3TB, Bill - K3FMQ, Ken - N3PSJ and Sebastien - VE2GTZ take all of their equipment, including radios, antennas and other equipment, on a 1,000 mile road trip for the CQ Worldwide SSB contest and were the #1 station in Zone 2 for multi-two stations in 2008.
This year a Leatherman Surge came to the rescue when a severe storm passed through the area, drenching equipment and causing antennas to lean precariously and in danger of falling-over. Quick action by Irwin, Andy and Sebastien saved the day when they braved the elements.
Working in more than a foot of mud, water and freezing rain they rapidly repaired the antennas, tightening loose nuts and bolts, cutting new guy lines and tying everything down.
Thank you, Leatherman. We could not have done it without you. To see a website and YouTube video for the VE2DXY Amateur Radio Contest Expedition visit this link: http://www.wix.com/andyvavra/VE2DXY
Andy V.
Schwenksville, PA
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.