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EM87 griDXpedition

Adam Lawler (WK4P) on April 15, 2009
View comments about this article!

The members of Appalachian Contesters W4APP are pleased to announce a griDXpedition to EM87 for the CQ WW VHF Contest July 17-20, 2009.

EM87 is one of the rarest qrids in the eastern half of the US and perhaps the rarest in "all of EM". Many griDXer we have spoken with have not confirmed EM87, in fact several listed EM87 as one of a handful of grids needed to work "all of EM". In a recent article in QST a gridmap showed EM87 colored in yellow surrounded by a sea of green in the rest of the eastern US.

EM87 is in the middle of coal mining Appalachia. No interstate highway touches its borders. The largest "city" is Pikeville, Ky, which boasts a population of 6500. The region's topography consists largely of small valleys with steep climbs to ridges of between 2-3,000 ft asl. Towns such as Hazard Ky, Vanzant Va, and Haysi Va dot the map in this area.

W4APP will be active from the Breaks Interstate Park, (1958 ft) on the Va/Ky border. The Breaks claim to be the "Grand Canyon of the South" as the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy river cuts a gorge through the mountains, giving superb takeoff angles for VHF operation. The Breaks also provide plenty of activities to occupy the families of the operators during those intense Es openings.

If you need EM87 for a new grid or just a contest multiplier listen for W4APP on both 50 and 144 mhz July 17-20. Here's hoping Hermes looks favorably upon us and provides intense Es openings.

Peace and 73 Adam Lawler WK4P Consul, Appalachian Contesters.

Member Comments: Add A Comment
EM87 griDXpedition Reply
by ki4lpr on June 30, 2009 Mail this to a friend!
As a member of this griDXpedition I have to say that I am really looking forward to lending a helping hand to those that need this rare EM grid. 73 and look forward to hearing lots of stations.
 
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