[NLRS] Best of luck this weekend from EN63ao

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    Taking some time to go thru the excellent Rovermania spreadsheets.   What 
eye candy for contesters!  I am absolutely fascinated by this group effort, 
and can't wait to see how it all turns out.  I'm way more focused on how NLRS 
does than my individual result for this UHF 'test. 

    Here's the QST from the easiest (only?) EN63 you'll ever work. 

    Short version for NLRS territory is: 
    I'm very good on 222 and 432 for this contest. 
    900 plays well, but is tough beyond about 150 miles, without any 
enhancement. 
    1296 is OFF until further notice. 
    2304 doesn't typically work past 100 miles, unless you're K2DRH or 
(probably) W0AUS. 

    Not going to waste much time worrying about 900 or 2.3 Q's with DX, 
because of the wasted time and fiddle factor.  Going to concentrate on doing 
volume business on 222 and 432.  Work you, thank you and let us all get on to 
the next one.  NLRS do know that if you tap into me or W9GA in EN53, Ken and 
I often hear each other and we jump in for two-fers.  Minimum of time and 
fuss, and you get two grids on basically one beam heading.  (W9GA is 35 miles 
SW of me) 

    W0AUS, know that I will be up late, and happy to snag you guys on C,D,E 
and G when things calm down for you and propagation improves.  I see where 
WA0VPJ will be burning some midnight oil from EN32/33; hope to work John. 

    Overall, I realize more every year that it's very tough to do a lot of 
business with NLRS Rovermaniacs from down here.  There's just too much for 
y'all to keep track of locally.  I hear a lot of you off the sides, but 
realize you are making hay with the easy Q's.  I do the same here with SE WI, 
N ILL and Lower MI stations.  Again, best of luck to everyone.  :) 


    If you want greater detail, here it is: 

    I'm good to go on 222 and 432.  100w on both, pair of 16el K1FO up 
105/110' on 222, pair of 25el K1FO up 105/110' on 432.   Experience tells me 
I work into at least E MN on these bands, when pointed at decent stations.   
222 is particularly good -- just love that band.  Wish everyone had 222 SSB.  
I will be calling a LOT on 222, in addition to 432. 

    My 902/903 plays well, 10w into pair of 45 el K1WHS up 80'.  However, I 
rarely get the chance to work MN stations with this setup.  W9FZ/R and I 
often work up to 150 miles on 900.  This is without any real enhancement.  If 
we do get some enhancement and rovers start getting loud out 200-300 miles, 
then 900 is a possibility. 

    1296 will be *OFF* for this weekend.  2.5/1 SWR; no idea when this can  
be resolved. 

    2304 is not as good as 902/903.  10w there to a 76 el blowtorch up 85' 
but the SWR is about 1.4/1.  It takes a big signal to work me on 2304 past 
100 miles.  I think W0AUS will be up to the task, with superior elevation. 

    I do hope to snag some of the Rovermaniacs on 222/432 as their time 
permits.  It'll be more of a random thing.  I know the first priority is to 
get all the local and semi-local contacts done.  If you do hear a Rovermaniac 
working me on 222/432, drop your call in and let me know you're there.  I 
love two-fers, three-fers, etc.   You may very well also get W9GA in EN53, 
once we get a little noise going.  Ken and I work well together. 

    Thanks for the bandwidth, 73, 
    Todd  KC9BQA  EN63ao   40 N of Milwaukee 
    http://www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates