This was a GREAT turnout of ham operators from around South Central Alaska.  Thanks to all those who attended and volunteered to make this a great fun event!

We had over 175 operators and guest at the BBQ on the park strip.

Thanks to the Matanuska Amateur Radio Association and the following volunteers for their coordination efforts and great support of our event. 

VOLUNTEERS

Anne Rutigliano, KL7TZ

Tom Rutigliano, NL7TZ

Betty Carrington, KL1XL

John Carrington, KL1XL

John Orella, KL7LL

Don Bush, KL7JFT

Ken Slauson, KL7VE

Mike Heusser, KL7SG

and all of the MARA team members who participated.

Thanks also to ARCTICOM and Pete Jiacalone with the Boy Scouts for use of the Boy Scout Tent and help by the scouts during set up and tear down. 

 

 

 

TRANSMITTER HUNT

We had two winners of the TRANSMITTER HUNT

KL2GY, Pete Summers was the winner of the Kenwood D710A 2M/440M radio finding the transmitter in 21 Miles and 2.5 Hours

 

Bob Douglass, KL3BD was the winner was the winner of the Vertex HT 16 miles coming in second with 2.5 Hours

The hunt was called due to time constraints and it was universally decided that the person who came the closest to the transmitter was the winner.

 

It must be noted that the participants used only a normal mobile VHF radio with a standard antenna, the S meter and common sense.  Several also used a handie talkie to aid in the search.  The veracity and determination involved was phenomenal for all who participated, and most of all, fun was had by everyone.

 

The challenge was to find the transmitter.  The deceptiveness was up to the bunny.  In this hunt, the bunny chose to cross band to the vehicle with the transmitter in it.  To add to this, the vehicle had out of state plates on it.  The antenna was a yagi pointed out the back window towards the corner of a mirrored window building, refracting the signal several directions.  Add to that, it was located in an area commonly known as “Intermod Alley”

 

KL2GY drove up to me in 1.25 hours.  Since I was cross banding to the 2 meter transmitter, he still had not located the transmitter.  After several subtle hints of paying attention to the hints section of the hunt rules, he joined another group of hunters within inches of the vehicle where the transmitter was hidden.  At one point, I think he even thought about leaning up against the car while contemplating about the motorhome parked next to it, and whether or not the transmitter was in it.  OH, so close and yet so far off!!!

 

After the hunt was over, the searchers suggested a class be given on transmitter hunting.