[NLRS] 2006 SBMS 2.3 GHz & Up Contest

[jcplatt1 at mmm.com]

Hello NLRS land.

Last Spring the NLRS participated in the San Bernadino Microwave Society
(SBMS) 2 GHz and Up contest.   Our casual operation resulted in a four
place finish.   Unfortunately, this years event is schedule for the same
weekend as Aurora'06.

But, we still plan to make lemonade out of this lemon (sorry).

First, check out the contest rules at
http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/club_test/2006_2ghz-up_test.pdf .
Basically they are much like the ARRL's 10 GHz and Up contest, but for 2.3
GHz and up.   The contest starts at 6 am local, Saturday, April 29th (same
day as Aurora'06) and runs until Sunday, April 30, midnight local.     All
contacts must be over at least 1 km, only one call per rig (no
manufacturing contacts), and each unique call that you work on each band is
100 points.   Lastly, this is a club aggregate scoring event, no individual
scores.   Everyone keeps track of their score (keeps their own logs) and
forwards them to me for club aggregate scoring.

So here is the plan.     Although Aurora'06 has thrown a wrench into our
original plans to go gonzo, we are still going to play.    Bring your
working stations, whatever you wish to bring, to Aurora'06.   As time
allows, we will make some Q's making sure that we adhere to the 1 km rule.
This is an opportunity to work some uniques and to demo microwaves.    I do
plan to have my 2.3, 3.4, 5.7, 10 and if Mike gives me the green light, 24
GHz station along ala Rover Lite.     So, come to Aurora'06, bring what you
want to bring, and make some QSO's as time allows.

On Sunday, April 30th, we will get more (semi) serious.   The current plan
is to have at least one rover group and one fixed group.    The fixed group
could be a few home stations augmented by those who may want to set-up in
one spot for the day.    The current thought is to send the rover group(s)
south and southeast from the Twin Cities, down towards KC0P's neck of the
woods (Rochester +/-).    Perhaps we can entice KF0Q, K0NY, KC0P and some
of the CVCC guys to come out and play microwaves as well.     Remember that
this is a club aggregate scoring event so from a contest scoring
perspective, however we get the points is however we get the points.    The
primary idea is to get out and play.

In summary, we are going to play in the SBMS 2006 2.3 GHz and Up contest.
Bring whatever you want and lets see if we can work some uniques at
Aurora'06 in the morning.    On Sunday, we will have at least one pack of
rovers out and about looking to work fixed stations.

More coordination as the date nears.

73, Jon
W0ZQ