[NLRS] 144 SSB nets *ON* tonight + contest plans from EN63ao

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    Here's the weekly reminder about the 144 nets every Wed.   NLRS has two 
options.  First one is geared specifically toward IA/MN and U.P. of MI and 
that's on 144.240 at 7:15pm   I look toward MN starting about 7:30-45pm. 

    Also note that a few guys want to test their 432 gear prior to the ARRL 
VHF QSO Party this weekend.   If you want to join in on 432.100, I'd say 
we'll have some signals there about 8:15pm tonight.   One fellow should be on 
from La Crosse, another from Stevens Point, and of course, me down here, 40 
miles north of Milwaukee, EN63ao.  Maybe some others will get on. 

    The other 144 net option is every Wed. on 144.250, starting at 8:30pm.   
This is the Badger Contesters net, but everyone is welcome.  Most of our 
check-ins are from the Milwaukee/Chicago area, but I do look toward MN about 
8:40-50pm.   A visit from W0ANH up in EN47 last week really spiced things up. 
 Several newer VHF'ers down here were thrilled to work Connie, so that was a 
lot of fun. 


    I want to thank Jim K0MHC for taking the lead on compiling all the rover 
and fixed station activity.   Here are my specific plans: 
    I'll be on Sat. and Sat. evening.  I should be on for a time Sunday 
morning but then I'm done.   Off Sunday afternoon and evening. 
    My good bands are 50, 144, 222, 432 and 902/903. 
    1296 is down and won't be back up until spring 2010, I imagine. 
    2304 is only so-so, not nearly as good as the lower 5 bands. 

    I like the 144.215 idea K0MHC is promoting.  Not sure what specific times 
I can aim that way, but I'm looking toward MN in any contest.  If we have 
some decent conditions, I know I can work into EN26, 25, 37, 36, and 47.   So 
hopefully we'll have some fun there. 
    I like that we've slid away from 144.200 because I've noticed that in a 
lot of metro areas (Chicago and sometimes Milwaukee, too) things tend to get 
busy on or near the call freq.   A lot of the time, those stations in metro 
areas tend to not hear so well in other directions, so it becomes pointless 
for distant stations to try and work that activity on/near 144.200. 

    I have a tip that may help some of you.  If you're working someone (or 
chit-chatting, even) who is close to you, consider pointing your beams *away* 
from each other.   You'll still hear each other no problem, but you'll also 
be pointing toward distant areas that are hearing you, and hoping you'll look 
their way.   W9GA Ken in EN53 and I use this tactic with good success.   
We'll gab a bit with our beams pointed in various directions, taking frequent 
breaks to let anyone know we're contesting and would enjoy a call.  Lots of 
times, we'll hear someone from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, wherever, by 
doing this. 
    I'm sure plenty of you already know this, but I thought I'd pass it 
along, because if it turns a lightbulb on for a few guys, it's all good. 

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