WVDXA VU7LD on 17m SSB this morning...

[Dave Heil]

When I got up this morning, I saw the spot for the VU7 on 18.135.  I 
listened for about an hour and heard nothing but the occasional European 
calling on the VU7 transmit frequency.

I grabbed my first cup of joe and resumed listening.  Eventually, I 
could hear a bit of the VU7 and as I continued to listen, the signal 
grew to about 55 (with the Orion's preamp on).  I waggled the little 2 
element yagi back and forth until I was sure that I was peaked on the 
signal.

Packet spots indicated that the op was listening between 18.1400 and 
18.145.  I found a fellow ending his QSO at .145 and dumped my call.
I was astounded when the VU7 came right back after the first call.
It was all rather anticlimactic, but it is in the log!

If I might be permitted a plea:

I'm not going to replace my destroyed Tashjian WT-51 with another crank 
up tower.  I have several sections of Rohn 25 and am looking for four or 
five more at a good price.  I'll take 'em in dibs and dabs or from a 
single source and can likely line up a neighbor with a pickup truck to 
help me in picking them up.  Any help would be appreciated.

73,

Dave K8MN
Cameron