[InHam] [Fwd: [SMC] Big 146.43 FM net tonight -- 23 check-ins]

[Dan Evans]

Hello,

  I'm too tired to go on about each of the 23 check-ins to
the 146.43 FM net (vert. pol.) last night.  But the conditions
in general were very good, and plenty of stations well south
of Chicago were anywhere from S9 to 60db over S9.

  We had both good local activity and more distant.  Farthest
north was K9KJM Ken in Sturgeon Bay (Door Co. WI EN64)
and farthest south was AK9F Howard in EN61, Kankakee and
WR9L Greg also EN61, Bradley, IL.  WR9L was 60 over on
the 10-el beam @60', fixed south.

   Also had a check-in from the Freeport, IL, area, far western
EN52.  Even though W9UIJ was way off the side, Karl got
checked-in after 10pm.

   I wanted to get out of the way, and let other stations talk to
other stations, but I kept getting late check-ins.  Not complaining,
just saying that *anyone* can get on and create activity.  I truly
wish there were multiple Q's going on across the band.  I don't
want to seem like a hog.

   Then as I pulled the plug toward 10:30pm, I tuned across
only the 146 simplex channels, and heard QSO's on 146.43,
146.445, 146.505 and 146.55.  THAT was a good feeling.

   The net is its own reward, and especially on busy nights, I'm
very glad to do it.  But of course, there's a part of me that really
wonders/wishes how I could translate this enthusiasm toward
contesting.  I realize there are plenty who just aren't interested,
but even if we could motivate 20-30% of these happy net
participants to contest, we'd *really* be on to something.

   And yes, it would be great to see other nets in different
areas develop.  Both SSB and/or FM simplex.

   Thoughts, comments??  We always need more activity and
more contesters, and the more ops who work toward this
goal, the bigger the results will be.  There's plenty of time
before the Jan. ARRL VHF/UHF contest (Jan 19-20th).
If each of you reading this would make it a priority to help
out at least one potential contester, it would be the best
Jan. contest in the Midwest, ever.  By far.  The sheer
numbers would be huge -- and over time, some of those
newbies would improve their stations and add bands.  Or
take up roving, whatever.

    Who cares enough about the future of contesting and
weak-signal work to make the effort?

    73,
    Todd   KC9BQA   EN63ao     40 N of Milwaukee
    50 thru 2304





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