[NLRS] 11 check-ins to 144.240 net tonight

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   Even with so-so conditions, we had a very good turnout 
last night.  A tip of the cap to everyone who came out and 
played.  Fair amount of QSB on signals, but the peaks were 
pretty good, too.  

    We had:   
WA9JML -- Steve     EN51 De Kalb, IL                  S1-3
N0URW -- Dan         EN41  Iowa City                    S9
K0NY -- Clare          EN44  Winona                       S2-5
W9RPM -- John        EN43  La Crosse                   S1-5
KB0GVI -- Jeff          EN41  SW of Iowa City        S2-4
KB9RYJ -- Dan         EN43  Wauzeka, WI             S0
Dan was cross-polarized and about 130 miles away but his 
ridgetop location helped him make the path.  Fun QSO.  
N0IRS -- JD               EM29  K.C., MO.                S1-2
N0AKC -- Charlie      EN44  Eau Claire                  S2-5
AB9FT -- Josh            EN63  Sheboygan, WI          S0-1
K0SIX -- Vince          EN35  Big Bear Lake, MN    S1-5
WB9LYH -- Mark      EN54  Rudolph, WI              S9

    I may have missed a light one or two.  I've now got a 
pretty bad noise source to my SW thru WSW.  It's OK 
for La Crosse, Eau Claire and Twin Cities, but peaks at 
S5-6 when I'm looking at SW WI or a lot of Iowa.  Grrrr.  
I do hope it goes away soon.  

    FWIW, the 144.250 Badger net was packed to the 
rafters tonight.  Word of the net must have gotten out at 
a Milwaukee hamfest last weekend, and we had 21 
check-ins, including 5 brand new guys.  Oh to get these 
new guys to at least try contesting, even if it's with limited 
equipment.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  

     Please note that I will be contesting next weekend.  
As usual, I will be looking high and low for everyone, 
everywhere.  I only hope it won't be 5 below and the 
rotors don't freeze up or some darn thing.  

     (Unfortunately, long-range weather models look 
very, very cold for a long stretch, starting about Monday 
or Tuesday.  I sure hope they're wrong.)

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