[NLRS] Howdy

[jcplatt1@mmm.com]

Hi Lynn, thanks for the note.    I suggest that you take Donn (WA2VOI) and
Bob (W0AUS) up on their offer to discuss this topic when they are out in
the Seattle area next week.

With regards to your questions, here is my $0.02 worth:

   Having a certain critical mass is important to keeping the activity
   going.   One or two people can carry the load for a while (in terms of
   generating activity) but they will eventually burn out.    With a
   critical mass, the group can always generate Op's to show up for events
   even when others have other commitments (ie; weddings, work, honey-do
   list, etc.).
   For a number of years the NLRS has been making weak signal (and 10 GHz,
   or microwave) presentations at local ham club meetings and hamfests to
   drum up interests and to provide awareness to the fun that we are
   having.   This effort has helped us achieve a critical mass.
   We have a breakfast once a month.    There is a ton of information
   sharing and show & tell that goes on !     This has helped us sustain
   the critical mass.  Given some of the "things" we have dragged in I'm
   surprised that the restaurant management hasn't kicked us out or
   commented on it.
   We have been using the club reflector to discuss activity on the
   weekend.   Saturday and/or Sunday mornings its seems that there is
   usually a couple of Op's out and about trying a new path and/or new
   equipment.
   There has been both construction parties and antenna building or
   measuring parties.    These have been very helpful towards getting new
   people on the air.

I would think that the rain and the mountains that you have in your area
would make for some interesting 10 GHz work.   Lots of bounce paths ....
coupled with rain scatter ??? .... to explore.     Also, unless you are
above a duct, there is nothing wrong with working 10 GHz from the tops of
some of those mountains ..... we here in the Midwest get excited when we
find a spot that is a couple of hundred feet above the average terrain.
When we rove one of the bigger problems for microwave operations is corn
.... its pretty high this time of year and it eats 10 GHz.

Same thing goes with your water paths .... lots to experiment with.    In
your case perhaps there are unique weather conditions that may generate an
evaporation duct right at the water level.    I assume that the water is
cold so perhaps there is a duct when you have warm weather (warm air over
(water cooled) cold air).

Another recommendation is that you work towards 10 GHz narrow band rather
than WBFM ..... WBFM offers an easier path to get on 10 GHz but the
propagation with narrow band equipment is much more fun to play with.

Hope these comments are helpful.    Looking forward to hearing about your
success on 10 GHz from out your way.   I hope other NLRS members may have
some thoughts for you as well.

73, Jon
W0ZQ