Lobstercon wrap-up

Lobstercon 2007 was indeed great fun. I have posted MANY pictures in the Gallery. Thanks go to AA1MY, K1GRU, and of course K1LGQ, who alone sent me over 400 photos on CD. Look in the Lobstercon Folder, then select Lobstercon 2007. I have tried to group photos roughly by activity. As you can see, however, the "maine" attraction of the event is the people. Great fun, great food, great company.

A few days back, Seab, AA1MY posted his summary to the various email lists. He has given me permission to post his excellent report here. Any and all others are invited to post their comments as well. What made Lobstercon "THE" summer event for you?

It was great to see all those that were able to make the trip (from as far as Tennesee, Wisconsin and California).

Our Host, Rex Harper W1REX has already confirmed the dates for next year. Mark July 11, 12 and 13 on your calendar!

72/73, Bruce N1RX

Seab AA1MY's summary follows:

It was a triumph of will and spirit over circumstances for attendees this year as the weather conspired to keep things cool, damp and sometimes hostile with lightening/thunder. It did go dry mode long enuff to get a big kite in the air for a few hours, but we chose not
to hang wire from it because of storm proximity. Blue Tarps abounded, and clever rigging kept the functions going smoothly while giving everyone's complexion a peculiar corona cast.

The "No Host Dinner" got an early start on Friday because we "early-birds" were starving after camp & antenna set-up while battling the raging elements. It was "807" time, and Cooks managed to handle the impromptu arrivals, tho not as one big group. HINT: Do not miss that place if you're ever in the area of Bailey or Orr's islands on Rte 24!

The pine trees are accommodating at Thomas Point, with 50-footers all over the place. I'm sure there were at least 25 antlers up, including my "44-Lazy-H" and single "88" at about 45' at center, ladderline fed of course. One spectacular addition to the launcher arsenal was Bruce's (N1RX) pneumatic tennis ball launcher, which in his capable hands proved to be a worthy tool indeed. It was accurate and certainly had the range needed for anything I can imagine, including some clandestine possibilities that discretion forbids mentioning here. Humor-rich banter followed re methods to transport it thru various security checks. Fitting a tuba horn to it seemed to win.

My setup was in a 12x12 screen tent that provided room for operating and some visitor chairs, right under the antennas. DX was rampant on 20m and we worked/heard some really great stuff across the Atlantic. Heard but not worked was an Algerian (7Z) at 5/9/9, who was buried in
a pileup at every "over". The highlight for me personally was working K7S with Rich at the helm. First Q was at e.s.p. levels, but later we made it at 5/3 - 4/4, on 20M. It was a long struggle and we searched in shifts and I was the lucky one to be on duty. We used KD1JV's new
ATS-3-B for almost the whole weekend and it acquitted itself admirably.

The Maine Event kicked off as Bill Legge (NT1R) rolled in across the swampy lawn with a truckload of good sized, feisty LOBSTERS. He's the Maestro of the steamer pot ensemble (six, fired with ~ 1 million BTU's of gas) and everyone agreed that they were the best ever. We really lucked out as the mkt price had been sailing around $15/lb. shortly before, but started dropping -just in time!

As usual, the conviviality was splendid with some new faces showing up to fill for those who couldn't make it this year. About 65 showed up, about average, and all agreed that this is a very special kind of experience that should not be missed. It was great to see the
"regulars" again and I for one have already calendared the 2nd weekend of July next year for the most pleasant and socially inclusive ham radio event I've experienced in my 50 yrs in the hobby. Rex (W1REX) started something very special here nine years ago, and with the help of lots of good folks, I hope it keeps going for many,
many years to come.
73/72
seab
aa1my