KUDOS to Ken KC6WOK who helped me get started with my new portable antenna, for the loan of the antenna analyzer and for the encouragement to keep at it until I figured it out.
Afterwards I stumbled into a QSO party and was able to make 6 contacts on 40 meters from around the US.
Bend, OR
Coquille, OR
Virginia City, NV
Coventry, Connecticut
Salt Lake City, UT
Biggs, CA
Not bad for a first effort with a little portable antenna sitting out on the front lawn.

Thanks again Ken, for being a terrific Elmer.
Thanks Jack, for adding that great photo and your kind words. keep up that great HF work, we’ll need some “seasoned” HF operators at our field day (c;