[NLRS] Contest plans from EN63 worth hearing about

[Todd and Sandy Sprinkmann]

 Hello from EN63 -- 40 miles north of Milwaukee.

   I want to add my call and grid to this Contest Activity List.  I just =
got
beams up at 100-115' in the past two weeks and I am a new station that =
many
of you in NLRS-land may be able to work in the contest.  Let me explain =
how
we can do this.

   I am Todd -- KC9BQA.  I am probably the best-equipped station in the
extreme NW part of EN63.  If you haven't been able to work EN63 before =
in
the contests, now's your chance.

   I've taken some time over the last week to see how my signal gets out =
to
the NW, W and SW and I'm very encouraged.  I've been able to get up to
Bill -- K0AUW -- who is 70 NW of Duluth.  I've worked multiple stations =
in
the Twin Cities area.  I've gotten out to Rochester, Winona and even
Mankato.  I've worked down to Des Moines and down to Northern Missouri.
This is all in the past week, with the same dismal band conditions we =
will
probably have in the contest.

   I want very much to work everyone to my N, NW, W, and SW.  I'm going =
to
be calling CQ very often for many hours of the contest, both Saturday =
and
Sunday.  And I'll be listening hard for weak signals.

   I've decided to try the following strategy:  For at least a half hour =
of
every two hours during the contest, I'm going to call CQ on or about =
144.170
+/- to the N, NW, W and SW.  If you want to work EN63, here's a plan:

   On the even hours, i.e. 2000Z, 2200Z, 0000Z, etc., I will devote the
first half hour to calling CQ SSB on 144.170 +/-, starting pointed due
north.  Shortly after, I will start edging the beam toward NNW and then =
NW.
By about 10 or 15 minutes after the even hours, I should be pointed NW.
edging more toward the WNW or the Twin Cities.  By 20, 25 past the even
hours, I should be more due W to SW, looking toward La Crosse, Rochester =
and
eventually Des Moines and finally, the Quad Cities by 30 minutes past =
the
hour.

    I will repeat this routine from 2000-2030Z, 2200-2230Z, 0000-0030Z, =
etc.
Both on Saturday and on Sunday.  I imagine I'll be off the air from =
about
0600 - 1300Z overnight, and then back at it on Sunday.  I will also try =
to
listen frequently on 50.170 +/-, but I plan on calling primarily on
144.170 -- SSB only.  I also have 432 and will be happy to try and run
anyone up there after we establish contact on 144.170.

    Anybody should be able to make lots of contacts with nearby big =
cities.
I certainly plan on this with Milwaukee, Chicago and Lower Michigan.  =
BUT...
I feel for the guys out in the sticks, who are trying to get points too. =
 I
want to clean house in NW Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and surrounding =
areas.
And I think with this strategy, anyone who tries to listen for me should =
get
several chances.  I will listen very hard for the weak ones, so keep
calling.

    If you have emailed your plans to NLRS or VHF, I have printed them =
out
and will have them with me in the shack.  If you want to set up a =
definite
schedule, email me before 1830Z today.  I have no computer in the shack.

    ROVERS ------ I have also printed out all plans posted to either =
NLRS or
Badger Contesters.  I *love* working rovers!  I will be trying very hard =
to
catch you rovers at any opportunity on your posted frequencies.  You may
also try to catch me by following along with my beam-swinging schedule =
up
above.

    Sorry for the length, but if this helps a few dozen of you get EN63 =
in
your logs, it will be well worth it.

    73,
    Todd  KC9BQA  EN63, 40 miles N of Milwaukee


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