[NLRS] Long range planning - Aug'04 UHF contest

[jcplatt1@mmm.com]

The ARRL 10GHz contest is Aug 21-22 and Sept 18-19 this year.     As a tune
up to that event, I am proposing (ie; up for discussion) a significant NLRS
involvement in the ARRL UHF contest.

I took a very brief look at last years UHF contest results over lunch and
concluded that if we were to do some UHF/microwave roving in mass for KM0T
we could propel him into first place in the Nation .... a interesting goal
from the cornfields of Iowa.

For instance, if my thumbnail analysis is right, if we had eight 10 GHz
rover who, between them, had one 5760, one 3456, four 2304, six 222 or 432
stations, this would be (14 x 12) + (6 x 3) = 186 QSO pts per grid.   If
this group hits eight grids, thats 1,488 more QSO points which would have
place Mike very close to the 1st place finish.   If we have more 10 GHz
stations then eight (which we do) and/or we have more bands per station
(rover) and/or we provide Mike with new mulitpliers (which I did not take
into consideration), and/or we activate more than eight grids, then his
final score is even higher.

The UHF contest is a lot of fun because its 222 and up (you can leave those
big 6m & 2m antennas at home) and its a 24 hr contest ; from 1800z Sat to
1800z Sunday (gives you time to get ready and a time to get home).

I hope to have both my main 10 GHz station and my 10 GHz loaner station
operational by then.   Thats two.   In addition, I have the ability to rove
with 222, 432, and 2304 (my 902 and 1296 are wired in and hard to rove
with).   I hope to add 3456 to my 2304 system later this winter.   This
give me 222, 432, 2304, 3456, and 10 GHz to UHF rove with along with a
second 10 GHz rig for someone else.    Obviously we would be able to work
each other during the contest in addition to working Mike.

Anyone else up to roving through southern MN for the UHF contests ..... we
could put the NLRS on the map as well as have a great tune up for the
upcoming 10GHz contest.    If others are interested let me know and I'll
start to tally a list.

73, Jon
W0ZQ