[FQP] We're Baaaaack ... (pun intended)

[charlie carroll]

Around the time of Orlando, it looked like I probably was not going to 
be able to do the 2018 FQP owing to some back surgery planned for 
mid-March.  Then, plans really went south when my usual FQP partner, 
W1MD, ended up on a field assignment out in Colorado.

But, as they say, good things come to he who waits.  Surgery went well 
and my recovery has been better than expected.  Last week Marty told me 
that his TDY to CO was cut short and he'll be home over the FQP 
weekend.  Need I say more!

As some may remember, we had an antenna casualty last year that cut out 
trip short.  Didn't even get out of Escambia county.  So, as in the 
past, we're going to start in Escambia on Saturday and do all of the 
rarer Gulf counties.  Sunday morning we'll start heading south and hit 
the Monroe/Collier/Miami-Dade junction in the noon'ish area, ending in 
the Osceola/Brevard area at the finish of the contest.  I'll publish the 
full route in the next few days.

Back to the antenna for a second; last year's casualty came when we hit 
some low tree limbs and railroad bridge.  Fortunately, I'd already sent 
the antenna off to Tarheel for a refurbishment. Remember all those good 
things I spoke about?  Well, earlier this week I was cleaning a closet 
in preparation for some family visitors after FQP.  Stuck in a corner I 
found 4 Hamsticks and associated whips that I'd brought home after my 
father went SK about 10 years ago.  If the Tarheel acts up, I'll be 
carrying hot spares ready to go up on the roof.

And just to top off this whole change, we've even managed to contact 
Willy Billy Four Willy Billy and meet for dinner Friday evening in the 
boon docks of Escambia county.  BBQ here we come.

73 charlie, k1xx & marty, w1md