Hello VHF Chasers of All Modes,
Wyatt and I wanted to send out a few notes to everyone now that the W7D expedition has been in the bag for a few weeks and we've caught our breath.
Logs: You can view a complete breakdown of every contact we made, across all bands and modes in the mast log spreadsheet here: http://www.druidnetworks.com/W7D_Master_Logs.xlsx. Obviously it's a Microsoft Excel file, so you'll need that to view it. Feel free to look thru the spreadsheet for your callsign, and if anything doesn't look right please email me direct and we'll get it sorted.
LOTW QSLs: On the QSL front, from the master spreadsheet I have generated adif files for each type and style of contact, and those files have been uploaded to LOTW. We have matches across all bands, all modes, using both calls and multiple dates. That said 24 different ADIF files, and 24 different station locations had to be generated to cover all the different grids and calls, so it's possible something got screwed up along the way. If you dont have a match in LOTW, but see your QSO in the master spreadsheet, make absolutely sure you're looking in the LOTW web interface and not the output of a logging program. We have found that a few pieces of logging software (N3FJP in particular) are not handling the LOTW XML output when 2 grids have been uploaded with our station location. If you've double checked in the LOTW web interface and still don't have a match, email me and we'll get it sorted.
Paper QSLs: The cards arrived from the printers last Friday, and I spent the weekend getting labels put on everything. Everyone who sent a card and SASE, and everyone who made a donation should (as of this morning) have a card on the way to them. I expect most folks in the US should have it within a week, and folks overseas within 3 weeks. I've still got plenty of cards left, so if you'd like a paper QSL feel free to send your card and a SASE, or email me and we can work something out regarding postage. Folks who worked us on EME from places far off the US Mail beaten path especially, if you'd like a card please email me and I'll arrange to get one to you somehow.
Stats: Total across all bands and modes, 950 QSOs were logged on the rove. 730 QSOs were made on 6m Terrestrial, 122 on 2m EME, 63 on 2m Terrestrial, and 52 on AMSAT. On 6m specifically 309 contacts were made using FT8, 226 on SSB, and 195 using MSK144. All EME contacts were made on JT65. On 2m Terrestrial 39 on MSK144, 21 on SSB, and 3 on FT8. 873 Total QSOs were made across all bands and modes while fixed at the camps, and 77 Total QSOs were made while truly operating mobile driving down the road. We worked 477 Unique Callsigns total, 405 uniques on 6m, and 55 uniques on EME. For VUCC/FFMA purposes, we activated 25 total grids, including 6 of the top 10 most wanted FFMA grids. For WAS purposes we activated 5 total states. For the June VHF Contest operating as W7D/R we turned in a score of 46,368 as a High-Power Rover (operating from DN20 and DN10 for contest purposes) and included 320 QSOs on 6, and 2 on 2m. Our total fuel bill (for both the truck and generator) was $1064.40 and we ended up spending $413.25 on Food, Ice, and Water.
The final Wrap Up: I'll be writing a proper story about the rove in the coming months - my day job has kept me busy since I've gotten back though, and that takes priority over writing for now. When the story is done I'll be sure to share it with everyone. I've also got piles of pictures, videos, and files full of data I plan to fully use and share because I find it interesting.
What's Next: That's the question everyone keeps asking. And honestly, it really depends. Wyatt and I have some ideas floating around, but there's a bunch of logistics and/or paperwork required to pull them off. For now, if you've got some awesome idea for next e-skip season, feel free to get in touch with us and float it.. never know when something will stick to the wall.
Last but not least: We have to send out a massive heartfelt thanks to folks who pitched in to help us with the expenses. Whether you donated $5 or $500, every single penny went towards Fuel, Food, Fees, and a few repairs to the rover and some equipment. We said from the very beginning we were doing this rove because we wanted to, even if no one pitched in. The fact that so many of you had faith in us to get out there and put those grids on the air was a huge boost to our morale during some tough hours when we were second guessing ourselves. It also has given us a lot more courage to try and keep pushing the envelope in the world of VHF Roving and rare grid expeditions, when you know the community has got your back. From the bottom of our hearts, we say to you all, thank you.
73!
Dave, KG5CCI CC: Wyatt, AC0RA