[NLRS] NLRS - 10 GHz Club?

[jcplatt1 at mmm.com]

Yep, and I've been having lots of fun on 10 GHz too.   Its been a hoot.
Standing on the hill in Burnsville last summer and hearing "VE4MA" on rain
scatter was for me on par with working my first 15m DX as a novice.    It
was also on par with hearing my first European on 6m unexpectedly one
Saturday morning .... just about spit up my coffee when I heard a "GM" on
6m CW, or hearing my first 2m Au signals on a IC202 with its whip antenna
back when I was in college.   All good stuff.

The point that I would like to make is the same point that I've made before
when discussions come up about the NLRS being "this" or being "that" ..
..... the NLRS is a VHF club with many interests and its that diversity
that makes us strong and dynamic.    As club president I encourage all
aspect of VHF/UHF/microwave activity and communication that is in support
of our clubs preamble.

   Preamble
   We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the pleasures and
   benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in Amateur
   Radio, constitute the Northern Lights Radio Society and enact this
   Constitution and By-laws as our governing law.  It shall be our purpose
   to further the exchange of information and cooperation between members,
   to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism, and individual operating
   efficiency, and to so conduct club programs and activities as to advance
   the general interest and welfare of Amateur Radio in the Community

The NLRS is not a 10 GHz club, its not a contesting club, etc., etc., etc.
If it appears to be that way at times, its most likely because some
members, living within the spirt of our preamble, have found something fun
and interesting, are furthering the exchange of information, and are
helping to advance our general interests.     Our recent work & play on 10
GHz is fully within the context of our clubs preamble and is fully
supported by me.    At the same time, Rich brings up the perspective that
there are other activities that club members would like to hear about, so
lets hear them too.   There is room enough for all and such diversification
in interests is fully endorsed, supported, and frankly expected.

Regarding what's up with W0ZQ, here's a quick list:
*  A recent 10 GHz expedition to eastern SDak to test out some possible
longer paths for the 10 GHz contest in Sept.   Also handed out EN14 and
EN15 on 6m's along the way.
*  Planning for Rover Mania, the UHF contest, in August.   The W0ZQ/R
station needs some work between now and then.   I hope to have 222, 432,
1296, 2304, 3456 .... and yes, 10 GHz going.
*  My FT100D blew up its 2m/432 finals, so I have no 432 at this time.
I've found a replacement MOSFET for $92.00 and I'm contemplating if I want
to attempt this fix or not.   The FT100D's design without thermal runaway
protection on the MOSFET is questionable.   The HF/6m side continues to
work great.
*  Promoting the CSVHF States Above operating event .... by the way we have
15 unique NLRS stations participating in this years operating event and we
have dominated the CSVHF States Above results for the last couple of years.
All NLRS members are invited to participate.
*  Building a DB6NT 3456 transverter.  Goal is to get it operational for
Rover Mania.
*  With help from K0CJ, got Matts 222 transverter and system running.   I
needed to modify his TS130.   Also realigned his 6m transverter.   Planning
a trip down to Matts next week to return his 6m and 222 transverter and to
put up his 222 yagi, all before the June contest (EN33 on 222 SSB).
*  Thinking about a 1296 beacon.   I may be "upgrading" my 1296 station and
if so, I may use my old system for such a beacon.
*  The W0ZQ 222 beacon is in need of its annual summer maintence.   My 2m
vertical has a high swr that is need of repair too.

73, Jon
W0ZQ