[NLRS] The Twin Cities - Milwaukee VHF path

[Todd Sprinkmann]

Hello all,

I know I've been beating the drum about linking up the NLRS'ers and
Wisconsin.  I also realize I've been doing this for far less time than most
of you have.

I do need to echo K9DQ's comments.  For my station (40 miles north
of Milwaukee and 10 miles west of Lake Michigan) it's all downhill toward
Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.  It's common for me to be able to work
decent stations in those states.  As long as prop isn't totally lousy, I can
pretty much count on the EN82/81/80 corridor (as well as EM89) during a
contest.  It takes some CQ'ing and some time, but once we find each other,
I can hit the bigger stations out that way.

I definitely agree that terrain doesn't favor the path between Eastern WI 
and
most of Minnesota.  I do better farther south in MN and down into IA.

All I'm asking is that during contest times and times with decent tropo 
cx's,
that we remain well aware of each other.  There's just too much concentrated
activity between our areas to not consider the possibilities.  The CVVHF'ers
are an important bridge as well.  I'm very glad to see the activity out of 
their
area.  :)  In fact, I'd urge folks to start routinely cross-posting to 
CVVHF, as
they are comfortably between us.

I can also make more of an effort to listen into the Sunday night NLRS nets
on the various bands.  I've tuned in several times and never failed to hear 
at
least one or two stations, albeit weakly.

Someday I should try going portable from an observation tower about 15 miles
to my NW.  It's called the Parnell Tower and it's about 70-80' high, on top 
of
terrain already in the 1300' range.  I'm only at 1000' here.

73,
Todd  KC9BQA  EN63ao

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Whitham" <k9dq at hotmail.com>
To: <w9fz at w9fz.com>; <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 2:51 PM
Subject: RE: [NLRS] The Twin Cities - Milwaukee VHF path


>
>
> Bruce and NLRS Group,
> Sitting hear just west of Racine about 7 miles.  I find that the RF trip 
> back to the Twin Cities from here very difficult.  I believe in my case 
> the southern range of the Kettle Moraine is possibly the main reason from 
> my view point.  Unless there is a strong tropo opening, I never hear 
> stations from the Twin Cities at this time with the station set up that I 
> have.
>
> During the contest last weekend, I pointed in the direction of the Twin 
> Cities and to those located in EN44 at the recommended times with without 
> hearing anything nor any answer to my CQ.  It is disappointing to know for 
> the same distance away from my station.  I can make it into Iowa, Michigan 
> and Ohio without any trouble even in poor conditions.  So, there has got 
> to be something said about the terrain in between us.  Now Ken, W9GA I 
> believe sits in a spot in between the north and southern range of the 
> Kettle Moraine.  If I recall there is a break in the range somewhere in 
> that area.  This gives him a better chance to make the trip to the Twin 
> Cities than I do here in Racine County.
>
> Now, I plan over time to boost power and improve reception on this end. 
> However, I am not sure how much that will help without some assistance 
> from "Mother Nature".  It seems that the assistance from "Mother Nature" 
> comes in the early morning hours when the wind is total dead and we are 
> sitting under a  high pressure weather zone, like right now!
>
> Just my 2 cents worth of thought!!
>
> 73
> Dave - K9DQ
>
>
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