[NLRS] KC9BQA in EN63 ON for CQ WW VHF

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    Looks like my first attempt didn't go thru so reposting...


      Last year, I was amazed at all the new calls that got on from
WI and N ILL for the CQ WW VHF.   Calls I didn't recognize
after 6 years of contesting.   Since we're still heavily promoting
weak-signal V/UHF in July of 2010, I'm optimistic we'll see
another strong turnout.   I've sent email in at least 15 directions
this morning, to various groups in my logs over time, and to
general ham groups that have developed pockets of weak-signal
interest.   This works if you're friendly and persistent.

    KC9BQA.com was updated early this morning with known
rover plans within a few hundred miles of EN63.   Of note to
NLRS members is K9MU and K9DRO activating EN55
(primarily) and EN54/45/44 this afternoon.   WB8BZK will be
roving the Chicago/Milwaukee corridor and K0PG and K9ILT
will be in multiple grids, as well.   Full details are at kc9bqa.com.

    Another potential hotspot will be the La Crosse/Winona and
SW WI area.   If you have a vertical beam and point at that
direction on/near 146.55, you might make Q's you won't get any
other way.   Some of those guys are newer, and are still making
the transition to SSB.  There will also be SSB activity from that
area.   I've been networking with some fellows in the EN33
Albert Lea area; hope they get on this weekend.

    Hopefully conditions will be so good that even omni-omni
contacts will be possible.   This happened overnight during the
July 2006 CQ WW VHF.   After I had played out the SSB'ers,
I was up all night working guys from the Chanhassen NWS office,
to Terre Haute, IN, to Burlington, IA on 146.55 FM in a great
tropo opening.

    I see that MN is again under the gun for severe weather come
late afternoon or evening.   Hopefully that forecast will be wrong.
I'll be looking often to my NW before the weather develops.

    I do have a problem with 6m.   My 7 el M2 is fixed east -- 
rotor box is shorting out, suspect it's lightning damage from Wed.
night.   But I still have a long yagi on a separate tower for 2m, so
I *can* look a full 360 on 144.

    I see no prohibition on using internet helpers in the CQ Contest.
As such, I'll be enjoying the on4kst.com chat for 144-432 MHz
(IARU Region 2 room)

    73,
    Todd  KC9BQA    EN63ao    40 N of Milwaukee
    www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates
    www.wivuch.com  WI VHF/UHF County Hunters Award