An additional Februaury meeting of the Tennessee Contest Group
was held at "Chateaux Les Mew", W4CAT Gallatin TN on Sunday, Feb. 04,
2001.

The gathering began at approximately 1:30 p.m. with the ceremonial
"Lighting
of the fire barrel" at the capable hands of W1ADE. The secret TCG motto
was recited as the flames rose higher and higher.

Present and accounted for were:

K1KY    - Tom Delker             Smyrna, TN
KG4ENY  - Robert Pace + Tracy    Madison, TN
ZS4K/W9 - Farney Dicks           Manteno, IL
W9WI    - Doug Smith             Pleasant View, TN
W1ADE   - Wade Patton            Murfreesboro, TN
KQ6ID   - Trent Smith            Nashville, TN

After some wood-gathering activities, the grill was ignited in
preparation for the afternoon feast.

Participants gathered around the fires in order to stay warm from the
warmth generated from the flames and conversation. Dogding the few rain
drops, the group kept the fire and the conversation going as they
feasted on the burnt offerings.

The topics covered literally ranged from A to Z including:

Antennas, polarization, arrival & takeoff angles
Bass Fishing
Contest operating hints & kinks
Contesting from South Africa
Diesel vs. Gas powered engines.
EMF characteristics of verticals & ground systems
Far-Field radiation patterns of 1/4, 1/2 & 5/8 wave verticals
Gar & Garfields
Ham Radio
Idiots - lids
J-Poles
King Mackerel
Lightning protection & grounding
Medical discussion group led by W1ADE & KQ6ID....
    (Use your imagination: Prospective Lawyer & Prospective M.D.)
Mountain trail riding and QRP opearation
NAQP Team content - How many TN/Non-TN per team
Optimum height for begerage receiving antennas
Power amplifiers in contests
Quad antennas
Repeater building
Stripe, Catfish, King Mackerel, Tarpin
Tailwater Fly-fishing, Trout, Bass, Rockfish,
Ten-Tec radios - next generation
Upcoming CQ 160 SSB & ARRL DX SSB planned operations
VW Rabbit, Golf, Sirocco, and a few Audi's lineage
Windows & Windoms
XFL Cheerleaders
Yagis
Z - characteristics of various antenna designs

As the troops departed one-by-one, the gathering around the fire
continued until the last two... W1ADE & K1KY watched the remaining
embers dwindle under the clear evening sky. The meeting was concluded
promptly at 10:00 p.m. as the campsite was secured and vacated.  It
should be noted that this crowd remained outdoors for the entire period!

Respectfully Submitted,

Tom Delker - K1KY