[NLRS] 144.240 SSB net *ON* tonight

[Todd Sprinkmann]

  Hello,

  This is what I just sent out to about 3 dozen VHF guys in 
my contest logs from W ILL, IA, and far S MN.  Guys who 
probably don't receive anything from the NLRS or CVVHF 
lists.  I'm emailing them to try and create an even better 
activity net.  

>> We're building momentum so let's keep going.  You can 
help by getting on the air and participating.  You can also 
help by telling others what's going on.  Activity breeds activity.

    My purpose with this net is to specifically try to look away 
from the normal activity centers of Milwaukee and Chicago.  
Those areas are covered with a 144.250 net I run starting at 
8:30pm, right after this 144.240 net.   

    Here's my typical net procedure -- Keep in mind my QTH 
is 40 North of Milwaukee.  At 7:45pm, I start out by looking 
SSW, toward EN51/50/40 and EM49/48/59.  I call CQ, 
announce where I'm pointing, and listen.  I call again and say 
"anyone before I swing the beams?".  If nobody comes back 
to me, this takes about 1 or 1 1/2 minutes.    

    From starting out looking SSW, I then start edging the 
beams more toward my SW, then W, and later NW and N.  
I do this very slowly, so if you're looking at my QTH from 
7:45-8:05pm, you shouldn't be overlooked.  I only move the 
beams 10-15 degrees at a time, and CQ at least twice on 
each new beam heading.  

   Beam headings:  (+/- few minutes for how busy things get)

7:45-7:50 - Rockford, Peoria, St. Louis edging toward Quad 
Cities and SE IA and N MO.  
7:50-7:55 - Moving north of Quad Cities toward Dubuque, 
Des Moines, and toward Waterloo and MN state line. 
 
7:55-8:00 - MN/IA state line toward Eau Claire/Twin Cities   
8:00-8:05 - North of Twin Cities toward EN36/37.  

8:05-8:10 - Due north for me, toward Wausau, Green Bay.    
8:10-8:30 - Turn back and re-connect with earlier check-ins, 
and let them know who all has checked in so they can attempt 
to work each other after I have to QSY at 8:30.  

8:30-whenever - This is where you get to enjoy the activity 
that has been stirred up.  I encourage everyone to stick around 
and work one another.  You don't need me for this -- anyone 
can create activity on the bands.  

    Any callers I get during the first go-around (7:45 to 8:10), I 
say hello to them, thank them for joining, and let them know 
I need to keep swinging the beams to find more check-ins.  I 
keep it short the first go around because I don't know if I'll 
have many check-ins and end up short on time.  

    Once I have a list, I then try to go back to each participant 
and tell them who all has checked-in.  This way, everyone 
knows who's on tonight, and where they might look to work 
other stations. This is why we need to have as many VHF 
lovers on board as possible.  

     I hope this makes it more clear, what my rough schedule is 
with this new net.  

     It also helps (but surely isn't mandatory) if you alert me 
ahead of time, before 7:15pm, via email that you will be trying 
to check in.  This gives me time to perhaps fire off a quick 
email pre-announcing who might be on from wherever.  It also 
helps in getting others who are on the fence to join in.  

    This is a work in progress -- participate, talk it up, and it 
will grow.  I've seen it already with the 144.250 net I run at 
8:30pm

    Any questions/comments -- feel free to email.  Also look 
for another email in an hour or so as I'm going to need some 
help with some emails that bounce back to me.  

    73,
    Todd  KC9BQA   EN63ao    40 N of Milwaukee
    50 thru 2304  (bands I have)