Too much time on my hands today

[K5USS]

Here's a question I've been pondering...

Has anyone gotten into a vehicle and started out on a quest to operate HF mobile from all 48 contiguous states only stopping to eat, fuel up, or sleep?

Now I know this would take a considerable amount of time, but I think it would be a lot of fun to do.

Of course it would also be expensive and take a lot of vacation time, so let me know how it goes when you get back! :D

Charlie K5USS

[XU7XXX]

Yes, it has been done.

To better that, people have operated from every county in the USA. There are around 3066 or so county's.

And too even better that, one amateur (a K5 I believe) has operated from all 40 zones throughout the world.


Tom XU7XXX

[NN3W]

Before he died, N6ZZ completed his mission of operating a CQWW DX contest from each of the 40 CQ zones. Took about 23 years. N6AA talked about it at Dayton last year.

Best wishes Phil!

[NA0AA]

Do you get QST? Article just this month on a guy who WAS with the same rover.

[K2GSP]

Do you get QST? Article just this month on a guy who WAS with the same rover.

That was a great article.

[KA4DPO]

I tried operating mobile about 20 years ago but i just didn't like it, too much noise and too much of a distraction in traffic. I gave it up and I don't expect I'll ever work mobile again. Besides, I don't like sticking big ugly antennas on my nice vehicles.

I think the only way I might ever try mobile again is if I decide to buy a $1500 dollar junker truck that I won't mind drilling a hole in. The thought of drilling a hole or scratching up the paint on a $45,000.00 vehicle just makes me cringe.

[W0IS]

I did hear a couple of guys on the (broadcast) radio recently who took a road trip to all 48 states in the course of a few days. They weren't hams, but it was the same concept.

One thing I've pondered (also have too much time on my hands, I guess) is getting WASFAS (Worked All States From All States), which would entail getting 2500 confirmed QSO's.

I'm guessing that would be a lot of work. Among other things, it would probably require a second or even third trip to most states to re-work that state that never QSL'ed. I can see being at 2499, and having to go back to Oklahoma to work Vermont again or something like that.

[K3WRV]

There was actually a guy who operated portable from ISLANDS in all 50 states. Have his QSL somewhere, but forget his call.

[WA6MHZ]

I have driven in 49 out of 50 states, with only Alaska being still needed. And there was a Radio in my Vehicle in each state.

I did the 48 continugous (SP?) in the early 80s when I had a Mazda GLC and took 2 weeks off each year to go to Dayton. I would take the LONG way there, down through Florida, up to New England and then to Dayton. And the LONG way back (out of Dayton to Chicago, Minneapolis, Montana and Seattle, then back to San Diego)
That was when gas was cheap and I had few cares and lots of money.

Now I can barely afford to drive to LA!

[WB2WIK]

I have driven in 49 out of 50 states, with only Alaska being still needed.



::Glad you took advantage of my L.A.-to-Honolulu bridge system, just completed recently.:)

You might note there are actually two bridges, not just one. That's because a friend and I started building at opposite ends, planning to meet in the middle, but we missed.

It was foggy.:p

[K0RGR]

I've done most of them, but I haven't found the bridge to Hawaii yet.

I drove the Alcan Highway years ago with an HF rig and a 2 meter all-mode. I am sure I made more contacts on 2 meter SSB than I did on HF in Alaska, but it was great keeping in touch with the world along the Alcan on 75 meters.

I haven't driven to New England yet - that's left to do. Still have to hit Delaware sometime, too. But there's always a rig in the car. On these big cruises, I like to operate CW mobile.

One of my post-retirement dreams is to get into giving out counties for the County Hunters.

[KB7GL]

Hmmm.... Sounds like a motorcycle trip in the making. Wonder if anyone has done all 50 QRP?

[G0GQK]

That's what I've been waiting for, a new word for my All American Dictionary !
And the word is........continugous. Its the first for 2009

G0GQK

[W0IS]

Actually, the spelling is "contiguous". I'm sure it's also a perfectly good British word. But the only time it's ever used is to refer to the 48 conterminous states. But we never use the word conterminous. :D

[KA5ROW]

Here's a question I've been pondering...

Has anyone gotten into a vehicle and started out on a quest to operate HF mobile from all 48 contiguous states only stopping to eat, fuel up, or sleep?

Now I know this would take a considerable amount of time, but I think it would be a lot of fun to do.

Of course it would also be expensive and take a lot of vacation time, so let me know how it goes when you get back! :D

Charlie K5USS

Well if you had the time and money it would be a real good adventure. Stay a week to ten days in each state just to see the country and have a little fun. The county thing don't know about that that could take years to do and by that time you will be burned out sick, and tired of traveling. :D

[NA0AA]

I did hear a couple of guys on the (broadcast) radio recently who took a road trip to all 48 states in the course of a few days. They weren't hams, but it was the same concept.

One thing I've pondered (also have too much time on my hands, I guess) is getting WASFAS (Worked All States From All States), which would entail getting 2500 confirmed QSO's.

I'm guessing that would be a lot of work. Among other things, it would probably require a second or even third trip to most states to re-work that state that never QSL'ed. I can see being at 2499, and having to go back to Oklahoma to work Vermont again or something like that.

They did not do it in a 'couple of days' the motorcycle record is just a skosh under 6 days, IRRC, I can dig it up if you really care [see the Iron Butt Association website - you can google them - they hold all the motorcycle records like that].

[KC9ECI]

I did hear a couple of guys on the (broadcast) radio recently who took a road trip to all 48 states in the course of a few days. They weren't hams, but it was the same concept.

One thing I've pondered (also have too much time on my hands, I guess) is getting WASFAS (Worked All States From All States), which would entail getting 2500 confirmed QSO's.

I'm guessing that would be a lot of work. Among other things, it would probably require a second or even third trip to most states to re-work that state that never QSL'ed. I can see being at 2499, and having to go back to Oklahoma to work Vermont again or something like that.

Rick-

Now's the time to do it, while everyone is still in that LoTW Triple Play frenzy. You'd just need to upload and check for confirmation before you left the State for the next one. Operating from the corners of States would help too, like the point where Iowa, Minnesnowda and Wiscowsin meet. Just pop across the borders as needed, set up and work.