[NLRS] Exciting 2m news, pls read and distribute

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    The Wed. 144.240 SSB net (7:15-8:30pm central time) is going to get a 
much better signal out to NLRS-land, effective next Wed.  WB9LYH Mark in 
EN54cl is taking over much of the net control duties. 
    Mark is between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids, right in the middle 
of WI.  He has a great QTH, great antennas and more power than I run.  And 
he's 110 miles closer to all of you. 

    WB9LYH will also try to be on for the 144 fall sprint this Monday evening 
the 21st (7-11pm local time) and inform many of you about the change.   
Please get on and support the fall sprints.  I will also be on, looking all 
directions, from EN63ao, or 40 miles north of Milwaukee 

    The full sprint schedule with bands, dates and times is up on my website. 
 Here's a direct link:  http://kc9bqa.com/?p=953 

    For those of you in a hurry, you just read the highlights.  For those who 
enjoy more detail, read on... 

    I've been doing this 144.240 Wed. net since last summer to try and find 
more stations in MO/IA/MN and the U.P. of MI.   As well as outstate areas of 
Illinois and Wisconsin.   It's worked well and I appreciate every single 
check-in.   The past several months WB9LYH has been on a lot, and the more I 
hear what he's working, the more I realize he would make a far better net 
control. 

    He hears into Kansas City at least 2-5 S units better than I do.  He has 
worked WB0ULX in Huron, SD when I haven't heard a whisper.  He gets into 
EN37/36/47 with ease.   If EN20-something stations get on, they'll really 
benefit from his signal.  Of course, he's a chip shot for the Cities.  Mark 
and I both hope he can work into outstate Minnesota and Iowa and get the guys 
who rarely hear anyone. It would also be great to hear some activity from the 
Dakotas, and VE-land.  Mark is very interested in pushing the propagation 
limits. 

    Seeing as the whole point of this 144.240 Wed. net is to increase 
activity everywhere to the SW, W, NW and N, this will be huge improvement.   
WB9LYH and I ragchewed last night on 144.190 and we're on the same page.   
He's eager, interested, and he's a lot louder and closer to all of you than I 
am.  We're excited. 

    So as Mark's schedule permits, he's going to take over on 144.240, for 
the most part.   There may be a few Wednesdays where he's not available and 
if that happens, I'll be happy to run it as I always have.  For NLRS-land 
(and nearby) you'll notice a big improvement. 

    I will continue to send out email reminders -- nothing will change there. 
 Mark is the RF source, and I'm the cyberspace instigator. 

    NLRS already runs fine nets on Sunday night and there's no competition 
here.   We all support activity every day and night, if possible.  I can't 
hear much of that Sunday night activity, but I know it's an active net.   
Keep on supporting those Sunday night nets.  I talked with KA0PQW at length 
this morning on the phone.  Both Matt and I agree that anything promoting 
more guys getting on the air is exactly what we need. 

    What you can do to help is spread the word.   Let those guys who don't 
get email know what's going on.   Talk this up on the air.   If someone needs 
email reminders from me, send me their address and I'll get 'em on one of my 
mailing lists.  The reminders work, and I enjoy doing them.  You wouldn't 
believe how many guys forget it's net night, unless they get a reminder. 

    This is a long-term commitment for the fall and winter months.  Let's 
keep our rigs warm and the antennas turning. 

    Any questions or comments, just email me. 
    73, 
    Todd  KC9BQA   EN63ao   40 N of Milwaukee 
    http://www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates