[NLRS] New FM net on 146.49, Thursdays 8:30pm

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   Hello again, 

   While I realize this email will be reaching a lot of 
stations outside normal FM simplex range, I figured it 
wouldn't hurt to get this new net some publicity. 

   I'm going to start running a net for the FM side.  It 
will run every Thursday (lightning permitting) on 146.49, 
simplex, starting at 8:30pm.  Just like our SSB nets, the 
purpose is to stir up activity on the bands. 

   I personally haven't done much work on 146 FM, save for 
some contest Q's.  I'd like to reach out more to the FM 
side, and see how it goes. 

   I don't have rotatable beams for FM.  I do have a dual- 
band (146 and 440) omni at about 60' and that does pretty 
well on 146.  I also have a 10 element beam on 146 up 
about 60', fixed toward Milwaukee and Chicago.  I think for 
the first net, I'll try to just use the omni and see 
how that goes.  As time goes by, I will work the beam into 
the equation, as well. 

   I have been pushing for more FM participation in the 
contests, and my hope is this net will eventually get some 
FM ops more interested in contesting. Or perhaps other 
FM nets will be created in different areas. 

   I've spread word of this net to some local repeater 
groups and reflectors, and I suspect we'll have decent 
participation. 

   What I'd like everyone reading this email to consider is 
this:  How can you help increase FM participation in contests? 

   If this net has decent activity, I plan on running it 
for at least the next several months.  I'll make 
some new acquaintances and hopefully the Milwaukee area 
will see increased FM activity in both the September and 
January ARRL VHF/UHF contests. 

   Any thoughts, feedback welcomed. 

   73, 
   Todd  KC9BQA  EN63ao   40 N of Milwaukee 
   50 thru 2304