[NLRS] Location, location, location

Tue, 31 Dec 2002 10:59:58 -0600

'Morning, Jason.

Jon, W0ZQ, hit the high points of staying "here," vs. going to Little Falls.
While you gain better terrain in Little Falls, you will cut down the number
of possible Qs.  If this were for the June contest, I suspect that it would
be worth the trip to LF.  (Better chance for 6m E-skip and 2m tropo
conditions.)

Two additional things to consider:
First, try to get some sort of vertically polarized beam antennas for any
frequency you can work FM on.  Even a 3 or 4 el beam on FM will greatly
improve your number of Qs.  (Remember, can't use repeaters in the contest.)
WA5VJB has published some good, simple designs for cheap beams for 2m, and
432.  They work well, but you do have to build them.  Wooden booms, and
welding rod and #10 house wiring for elements.  I'd be happy to snail-mail
you a copy of the article if you wish (my e-mail at home is
[email protected]).  This may not be practical (getting them up on the rotor,
etc.), but if you can, it'll help a lot.

Second, think about operating as a Rover (1 0r 2 operators).  You don't have
to do a MAJOR effort to be a Rover... just operate (make at least one Q)
from each of two (or more) grids.  As you know, the EN34/EN35 line runs
across the northern side of Minneapolis/St. Paul, so its an easy move.
Depending on your equipment, it may be possbile to just stuff things into
the car/pickup/whatever, and GO.  Supporting the mast, etc., will take some
planning, but its not too hard.

In any event, enjoy.  Contesting, especially VHF+ contesting, can be a lot
of fun.  Good Hunting!

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0

-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Godfrey [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 6:26 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [NLRS] Location, location, location

Hello.

I'm part of a small group that is looking to take part in the Jan. VHF
contest.
Unfortunately we can't use the location we had for September. We are
considering
two choices:
  a) My house in Inver Grove Heights (near Concord), which has 80+ foot
"hills"
both to the east and west. (I'm in a valley.) or
  b) A trip to a cabin 15 miles west of Little Falls, MN (en25). I need to 
take a closer at a topo map, but it looks like more favorable terrain. 

We will have a modest station, 100 watts into most likely a 3 element 6m
beam,
a 5 (or 3) element 2m beam, and a 6 element 440 beam, all for SSB. 

Not being avid VHF'ers, we're not really sure how to evaluate the tradeoff
between being in a hole vs. being 100 miles from the population center.

I was hoping the list might have some comments.

Thanks and 73
de Jason, N0RPM
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