Hi!
This is going to be the plan for my upcoming road trip, starting on Thursday (9 July) and wrapping up on the following Monday (13 July). This includes an AMSAT presentation, some time in/around San Diego, and at least a thousand miles' driving. Here goes...
Thursday (9 July) AM: drive to San Diego.
Thursday PM: Work afternoon AO-7/FO-29/SO-50 passes from either DM12 or DM13, possibly both if there is any interest in both grids. Then an AMSAT/satellite presentation at Escondido Amateur Radio Society in DM13, including a possible demonstration before or after club meeting on AO-73.
Friday (10 July): no radio until late in the day, possible DM04/DM05 activity on AO-73 @ Mojave CA in the evening.
Saturday (11 July) AM: morning AO-7 or FO-29 passes from DM04/DM05 line @ Mojave CA, then 5-hour drive to Santa Cruz CA. If I'm making good time, I might stop in DM06 for 1 or 2 AO-73 passes on the way to Santa Cruz.
Saturday PM: hoping to work afternoon AO-7/FO-29/SO-50 passes from CM86/CM96 line @ Santa Cruz CA. If not possible, work from one of the grids in the afternoon, then the other via AO-73 in the evening. (CM86 appears to be the rarer of these two grids)
Sunday (12 July) AM: morning AO-7 or FO-29 passes from Santa Cruz CA (hoping for CM86/CM96 line, but probably just CM86 if I can't get on the line), then drive south - either along the coast on CA-1, or inland on US-101. I might be able to work from the CM95/CM96 line, if I'm not able to get CM96 on the air much from Santa Cruz, before going down to Santa Maria.
Sunday PM: hoping to work afternoon AO-7/FO-29/SO-50 passes from CM94/CM95 line @ Santa Maria CA. Maybe eastern AO-73 pass in the evening as well.
Monday (13 July): not sure if I will work passes before departing Santa Maria, but hoping to get through Los Angeles and make it to DM23/DM24 line north of Quartzsite AZ for afternoon AO-7 or FO-29 passes. Then a quick drive home.
Weather conditions, especially the fires, might cause my plans to be altered. I'll use Twitter and posts to the -BB to make updates.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK