[NLRS] FM net announcement de KC9BQA EN63

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   Happy New Year,

   I hope all of you are getting ready for the Jan ARRL VHF
Sweepstakes, starting 1pm Sat. Jan 17, running until 10pm on
Sunday, Jan 18th.

   By now, you're used to my regular SSB net announcements.
Many thanks to those who have 1) checked-in  2) tried to
check-in and 3) emailed to say nice things about the overall
effort.  That's the sort of thing that keeps me going.

   What many of you may not know is that I also run an FM
Simplex net on Thursday nights, on 146.43, vertical-polarization,
and only omni-directional.  While most of you won't be able to
check in with normal winter-time conditions, perhaps some in
CVVHF land will, if you have beams that will point at me.

    I actually had a few Minnesota guys ask me last night if I had
ever considered an FM net, so I figured it might be time to clue
CVVHF and NLRS in.

   I'm sending this email to your groups so you can see an
alternative method to getting new guys on the air.  Since its
start back in late August, I've checked in at least 100 unique
calls to the FM net.  Some have already started checking into
the SSB nets, which is very pleasing.  I have no idea if anyone
in CVVHF or NLRS has ever tried something like this, but if
you have, I'd like to hear from you.

   Also, I still keep having this image of increasing activity all
across the Midwest and Great Lakes.  Folks getting on the
air more, perhaps trying to start their own nets, and yes, folks
contesting more as well.  It's the first day of 2009, and a fairly
simple resolution for each of you would be to do a small part
to make VHF/UHF better in your backyard.


   Anyway, below is a sample of a 146.43 FM net announcement.
My audience is 40 or so hams who have submitted logs to the
MRAC FM Simplex contest.
http://www.w9rh.org/documents/FMCONTESTRULES2009a.pdf
http://www.w9rh.org/fm_simplex_contest.htm

   I send to these guys because they've already tried a little
contesting, and they've gotten off the repeater.  Here's what I 
sent:


   >> I hope many of you are able to say hello to the FM Simplex
net tonight.  After a break for Christmas Day, we're back at it
tonight at 8:30pm.  Make it a New Year's Resolution to listen
in or say hello when you are able.

    The idea behind this net is that there isn't nearly enough
activity on 2 meters, and especially away from the repeaters.
Meaning either on SSB near 144.200, or on the common FM
simplex channels.  It's also a good idea to test your equipment's
range, and work stations directly from time to time.

   So many hams moan about how nobody ever gets on the air
anymore.  Well... help me make a difference!  That's why we
have the nets.  To have activity on the air.

    We also have 2 contesting opportunities on the horizon.
ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes is on the weekend of
Jan 17-18th.  From 1pm Saturday until 10pm Sunday.  We
need both fixed (home) stations and rovers for both of
these contests.  Contests are only fun if there's plenty of
activity.

    Shortly after that, there's the MRAC FM Simplex contest,
on the afternoon of Sunday, February 8th.

    So if you have interest in contesting ( like me ) then this is
a very good time to become radio-active and beat cabin
fever.  You'll also be able to get your feet wet now, before
the more active contest season sets in come summertime.

    Unless you totally ignore these emails of mine, you know
that I'm a strong advocate for the FM stations getting involved
in VHF/UHF contesting.  The sheer number of FM stations
can make contesting very exciting, IF -- IF -- some of you
guys take a personal interest in promoting it amongst your
radio buddies.

     Enough of that for now -- let's have a good net tonight.
You certainly don't have to be a contester to enjoy the net.
Everyone is welcome to say hello.

     See you at 8:30pm.

     As always, any questions or comments, feel free to email.

     73,
     Todd   KC9BQA   EN63     40 N of Milwaukee