[NLRS] EN20 dxpedition

[Andrew Flowers]

Looks like the WX will cooperate tomorrow for a trip to my favorite spot
in EN20at for the Quadrantids metoer-shower.  My plan right now is leave
around 3:30pm and arrive there a little after 4:00.  I'll try to find
any neighbors that might be around and alert them of my presence.  I
have been here before, but never for the length of time I am intending
this time.  Last time I was there for 2-1/2 hours and saw one truck go
by, and this was harvest time.  I'll usually park off the side of a
remote road near a field access driveway--north of hwy 34 between the
booming metropolises of Union and Nehawka for those of you who want to
find me on a map.  I always like to pad the inevitable encounter with
the sheriff when I can, so I'll be bringing a little extra literature
with me on this trip.  This has never been a problem out west, but this
part of the state can be a little different.  At least I'm not pointing
my contraption over a major US dam this time.....

I would like to stay QRV until about noon on Saturday or longer if
conditions warrant, so this would give a substantial amount of time to
run some tougher, longer skeds.  I'll bring the 40m whip element for
liason, since 17m isn't much good in darkness.  I haven't been on 40m
SSB in years, so if anyone knows a good frequency around 7200, let me
know.  I'm going to need people to talk to in the wee hours if things
don't pick up right away.  I always want to hear from people who are
listening for me so that I have some idea of where to point the
antenna.  This is especially true to the west!

I have been to this spot twice before, and I have worked FN20 from it
with the old 3x3 array.  I see pretty well in all directions, but east
and south are the best since they look into the Missouri River valley.
I'll concentrate on 2m, and there should be time to run some JT44
skeds.  If you are under 400mi and need EN20 on 2m, get ahold of me by
HF, telephone, or relay through someone that you would like to run a
sked--I'm thinking about the MN, OK, and IL  folks especially.  I'm
guessing this would be a good use of the 1am-3am timeslot if you can
bear it--you rock-jocks were planning on being up anyway.  I might get
6m going with a dipole, but don't count on it.  When/if the peak arrives
I'll jump to SSB and see if I can snag a few.

Right now, I'll tenitively plan on this:

144.140 CQ 1st seq FSK441 (probably U6, but we'll see where birdies are)

8el ugly yagi, 160w

50.270 CQ 1st seq FSK441 (we'll see if I have time for this band)
dipole, 100w

liason: 7.193 +/- LSB, 18.163+/- USB (cell phone for emergency backup)

I'll have the mic and key ready to go on VHF also (duh...).

I'll will use Single-tone messages unless you specify otherwise.  If I
get a multitone "R+report", I will respond with multitones.  PLEASE send
single-tone 73 because it is much easier for me to hear.  In fact, I see
nothing wrong with telling me to stop by other means so that I can move
on to the next person more quickly.  If you don't have HF, have someone
relay for you.

If you aren't familiar with the CQ U/D system, have a look at
http://www.qsl.net/w8wn/hscw/papers/hscw-sop.html under "CQ, OFFSET
LISTENING" and "ANSWERING A CQ".  There's lots of other good stuff on
that page to read too!

Keep in mind that my plans may change due to WX, equipment problems, or
angry hermits with pitchforks.  If worst comes to worst, I have my home
station in EN10rt with central heating....through while sitting on a
dark hill in EN02 a few days ago, I did discover that the car's
defroster made a great hot plate for my burritos (rovers take note).

It looks like WB2FKO will be out in DM74 with FSK441, so there's pleny
of winter-time roving going on!  73 and GL!

Andy K0SM/EN10rt