[NLRS] Contest wrap up de KC9BQA

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    I will personally always remember this contest for finally 
being able to get a significant number of new ops on the air.  
I've long thought that VHF contesting isn't promoted nearly 
heavily enough.  Especially to those who aren't aware of the 
whole weak-signal, SSB deal.  I know NLRS has been 
extremely proactive in getting ops on the air, and I'm sure 
much of my efforts in WI, stem from the initial Rovermania 
emails.  That was an exciting time for a new guy like me!   

   This past weekend, we had a dozen or so new ops on from 
the La Crosse area.  Another few dozen on from the area in 
and around Milwaukee.  It made a big difference with local 
activity.  

    Some of these new ones were SSB on at least a band 
or two.  Most were FM.  Some actually had the ability 
to get out 100-150 miles with modest beams.  Some were 
hard to work 20-30 miles away.  But they got the heck on, 
and way more of them had a good time than I would have 
ever hoped for.  Some lightbulbs were turned on; I could 
tell that from the sound of their CQ's, from their comments 
afterwards.  I heard from guys who sat out in their mobiles 
and simply listened, to get the hang of what was going on.  
So there was legitimate interest.  

    None of this would have happened if I hadn't started doing 
weekly nets.  I used to ask hams who didn't know me if 
they would try contesting and that fell flat.  But now that the 
nets are doing well, and they hear from me every week, I've 
got some guys who will pay attention when I send out articles 
about getting started contesting, and such. 

    W9RPM took it upon himself some months ago to start 
forwarding my net emails to some other La Crosse ham 
groups.  I used to work W9RPM and KA9FOX in a contest 
from EN43 and that was about it.  Now I hear from John 
that there were at least 13-15 guys on down that way this 
weekend.  THAT is impressive.  I worked or heard about 
half of them.  

     You should have seen 146.55 in the Milwaukee area 
during our 2-5pm activity period on Saturday.  It was lit 
up at least half or 2/3 of the time.  All kinds of guys running up 
to 446.00, 223.5, 52.525.  Had a few new rovers, too.  

    Guess I mostly want you guys to be aware of the new ops 
near La Crosse.  It builds a nice foundation for improved 
regional activity in 2009.    

    My contest was:
    264 total Q's for 387 points X 89 grids = 34,443.  

    I opped about 22-23 hours of the contest.  Main rotor for 6, 
144, 222 and 432 was a pain all weekend.  Ranged from slow 
to all-but-dead.  Very frustrating to hear guys off the side and 
know that the rotor will die before it can move 120-130 degrees.  
Actually managed some decent Q's on 144, but no go with 
the tighter beamwidths on 222 and 432.  Noise on 6 was 
pretty bad in certain directions, too.  Guys I normally work 
on 6 no problem probably thought I was deaf.  I was, LOL.  

     Actually, I worked a fair amount of NLRS stations, too.  
Conditions were definitely better to the NW than they were 
to the E.  Got my first Q with NG0R -- on 144.  That was 
most pleasant and unexpected.  Never heard KA0RYT so 
loud or often before.  Worked W0GHZ, K0SIX on Sat. nite.  
N0KP was quite strong on 144, 222 and 432 at 1846Z on 
Sunday.  Also got WA0FAA and WA9NJR in the log on 
144 at that time.  Worked W0VB no problem on 144, and 
on 6.  Would have made it on 222/432 if the rotor had turned 
just another 15-20 degrees.  

    Enjoyed working N0AKC and K9MU in CVVHF-land.  
Hey Charlie, Hey Justin.  

    If I wasn't usually doing something else on Sunday nights, 
I'd think to check into the NLRS nets.  Maybe when football 
dies down, I'll remember to check in more often.  It does 
help when a fellow sees email reminders, too.  

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