[NLRS] 222 Tuesday tonight, 144 nets tomorrow

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    Friendly reminder about weekly V/UHF activity that needs 
more promotion and more participation.   222 Tuesday in this 
part of the world especially could use more signals.   There are 
plenty of good stations and operators out there... 

    222 Tuesday is a general activity night.   No net control, or 
set schedules.  Get on/near 222.100 SSB/CW and call CQ.   
Swing your beams around, look everywhere.   Activity has 
been focused in the 0100-0400Z period.  

    Guys email me wanting to know if 223.500 FM is in play.   
Yes, 223.500 FM simplex is more than welcome to play 
along on 222 Tuesdays.   The interest is there and that's good.      
     I know I've gotten multiple newcomers to 144 SSB by 
hosting a 146.43 FM simplex net on Thursday nights in the 
SE WI area.   I don't pressure anyone, but I keep working at 
it (mostly around contest time) and it pays off.   
     So I encourage the SSB guys to put out a few calls on 
223.500 FM and see who's out there.  Lord knows we enjoy 
the FM Q's on 223 in a contest.   Take a little time to reach 
out and see if we can get some new ops to 222 SSB.  

     Tonight's Hepburn tropo forecast map actually depicts a  
bit of enhancement across a wide part of the central USA.   
Activity + propagation = fun.    
    Here's the link to those maps if you're not familiar with them.  
http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html   These maps are not 
gospel, they are predictions.   The real-time prop maps are 
also a good tool to have, when they're working.   Look at :  
http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na  
That map actually looks pretty good for winter, this morning.      
    
    I've posted several new website entries lately.   Food for 
thought kind of posts.   The ARRL Jan VHF SS is less than 
4 weeks away (Jan 23-24).   I'm promoting activity on 144, 
222, 432 every week.   Also compiling a V/UHF Wishlist for 
2010.   Item #1 was posted yesterday and it has a lot of 
relevance for NLRS, given their great rover tradition.     

    Both 144 MHz long-range nets from WI are *ON* 
tomorrow night.   As always, announcements are on my 
website.   Spending a few minutes a few times a week will 
keep you updated.  

     Happy New Year, 73,
     Todd  KC9BQA   EN63ao   40 N of Milwaukee
  http://www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates