[NLRS] 10 GHz from EN44

[Allan W. Schlaugat]

On Wed, 3 Jul 2002 00:36:14 -0500, "Jonathan Fox" <w0amt@attbi.com> =
wrote:

>After reading Donn's write-up of Tuesday's 10 GHz activity I was
>wondering if anyone has worked 10 GHz from EN44, Elk Mound, WI.  I
>have never seen this location mentioned on the reflector.
>
>There is a large hill (Elk Mound) overlooking the town with an
>observation tower on top of the hill and the whole thing is a public
>park.  I estimate the top of the observation tower is 300 feet above
>the surrounding country side.

Yes. The 'castle' on top of the hill is about 1225ft ASL and is on the
south edge of a range of hills that continue to the north. Add the height
of the three story observation 'castle' and you are pushing close to =
1275ft
ASL.

I go up there to storm spot for the local SKYWARN and it is a wonderful
place to watch storms 20-25 miles distant with no trees. Be warned that =
the
local 'Barney Fife' will stop up and check up on things in the park =
during
open times almost every hour.=20

>Here is a link to a map of the area.   The top of the hill is at the
>end of Elk Mound Hill Rd.
>
>http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/bin/maps-maponly/usr=3D~3d175148.a493e.1
>3ed.9/c=3D2/formName=3Dsetclickpost
>
>(The link may require pasting together for the page to load.)

The best way to get to the park from the west is to take Exit 52 (I-94)
east onto Wis 29. Follow 29 past the Elk Mound/Colfax exit until you get =
to
a surface intersection for County Highway 'H'. Take 'H' to the right
(south) until you get to the Elk Mound village limits. The park road is
hidden on the left. The road is a very narrow winding paved road '5 mph
speed limit' up the hill. A small parking lot allows you to turn around =
at
the top.

>
>The view from the top of the tower is unobstructed in every direction.
>The day I was there was hazy so I can't say about distant hills to the
>west and how much trouble they could be.

There are some hills in the Knapp, WI area (collectively known as Knapp
Hill) to the west that are 1250+ ft high. A few of the hilltops north of
Wilson, WI are well over 1300ft high! That ridge is a bane for UHF
operations over here in the Eau Claire area. If you can get over that =
range
of hills, then you are home free!

Good luck!!!

73   Al   N9ISN