[NLRS] 144.240 and 144.250 SSB nets ON tonight

[Todd Sprinkmann]

      Hello,

      Good weather in east-central WI (actually, we could
 use some rain) means the nets are ON tonight.

      144.240 is from 8-8:30pm, looking only west thru north 
from EN63ao, or 40 miles north of Milwaukee.  Purpose is 
to stir up activity in W and N WI, adjacent portions of IA, MN, 
and the UP of MI.   I hope that activity continues in those 
regions after I have to QSY -- anyone can create activity.

      144.250 is the regular Badger Contesters net at 8:30pm.  
I start by looking south, then swinging beams a full 360, going 
SW, W, NW, etc.  Usually get back to south about 8:45-50pm 
and then we start the net.

      Also, I know that SSB is the rule in these clubs, but I did 
have a very successful response to a new FM simplex net 
on 146.49 last Thursday, at 8:30pm.  I'll be running that 
every week, weather permitting.  

      Had 17 check-ins, all within a 50-mile range.  My 146 FM 
antenna is a dual-band Diamond vertical, up about 60'.  

      The response has been very good to the SSB nets, so I 
figured I'd start learning more about the FM side, and host a 
net there as well.  Meet some new voices, as it were.  

      I am also hoping that as time goes by, some of these FM'ers 
will try some contesting.  If FM stations ever realized the concept 
of "strength in numbers", those in metro areas could really make 
a splash in the contests.  They wouldn't have to work out 100-150 
miles like the SSB'ers, simply because they'd have dozens and 
dozens of local and semi-local stations to contest with.  

      And yes, I'd sure as heck welcome another 25, 50, 100 Q's 
in any contest.  If several rovers went to the Milwaukee grid 
square intersection of EN62/52/63/53 and just drove around 
for a few hours, they'd get a real taste of contesting, without 
the hassle of long-haul driving or an all weekend commitment.  

      Has anyone else ever tried to recruit or encourage the FM 
stations?  Feedback would be appreciated.

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