[NLRS] 144.240 SSB net *ON* tonight -- 7:30pm

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   This should be interesting tonight...

   Game-time temp is progged to be somewhere around
-8F, and there should be a 10-20 mph wind.  I've never
tried to really op during that sort of weather.  I have heat
out in the shed, no that's no issue.

    It's more a matter of what rotors will turn, and what
the noise level to my SW will be like.  Whatever the case,
we're going to try it out.

    I'm also aware the cold is far worse to the north,
saw all sorts of -20's/-30's yesterday morning.  Ouch.

    If there are complications, tonight I will advise via this
link:  http://dxworld.com/vhfqso.html   We should get used
to using this anyway.  It's the easiest way to chit-chat or
wave your hands for attention while a net is in progress.

    If you have an actual contact to report (either during
the net, afterwards with others or at any time on 2 meters)
then use this page instead:
    http://dxworld.com/144prop.html

    I really do check both those pages frequently while I'm
out in the shed, playing radio with you folks.

    If you hear activity on 144.240 prior to 7:30, it's because
I am doing an early check-in for my La Crosse hot spot.

    I will be looking at Rockford, Peoria and St. Louis at
7:30pm, and will slowly edge to my SW, W and NW
from there.  Calling CQ frequently and announcing where
I'm looking at a given time.

    Finally, hope to hear everyone on for the ARRL Jan
VHF Sweepstakes this weekend.  Starts at 1pm on Sat.
and runs until 10pm Sunday.  Please get on with what
you have and support this contest.

    I know this seems impossible, given the brutal weather,
but there is a nice warm-up forecast for this weekend.  So
don't automatically assume the contest will be dead.  Also,
do what you can among your radio friends to talk it up.
I suspect I will have time to look in all your directions
frequently during Sat. evening.  Quite possibly Sunday
morning, as well.  I look in all directions during contests,
anyway.  I will also try specific skeds, if you care to email
me *before* the contest starts

   (This part is probably redundant for NLRS and CVVHF
members, but it can't hurt to repeat it.)

    Also be aware that W9FZ Bruce will be roving using the
Badger Contesters callsign KB9C/R.  Bruce will be doing
the Wausau, WI grid intersection on Saturday.  Bopping
around EN45/55/44/54.  For Sunday, he will have driven
south and be doing the Dodgeville, WI grid intersection of
EN43/42/53/52.

    If you don't know already, Bruce is an old pro and does
first rate roves.  He will have good beams and power on
all bands 6 meters up to 2304 Mhz, + 10 gigahertz.  Bruce
likes to hang out on 144.240 and 50.160, so find him there
and work him from as many grids and on as many bands
as you can.

     Keep an ear open for the net tonight.  It'll be interesting. :)

     73,
     Todd  KC9BQA  EN63   40 N of Milwaukee
     50 thru 2304 (bands I have)