[NLRS] [BC'ers] Which is the most "rare" of EN44, EN45, EN54, and EN55?

[Bruce Richardson]

Hi David:

I agree with the guidance you've received so far.  In order
of scarcity/rarity:  EN55, EN45, EN54, EN44.

There's two wasys to look at the rarity/scarcity issue--over
all-time and in this contest.  For "all-time" one must
consider that EN54 has been given out by W9JN, ND9Z, N9QZD,
and many others over the years.  EN44 has had many years of
W0UC, N0AKC, and others giving out that grid.  For many
years, EN-45 had VERY little activity.  KB9TLV helped
changed that for the years that he was active. With his
recent passing, EN45 might become rare again--particularly
in this contest since N0EDV will be up in EN67.  EN55 has
been somewhat rare for a long time. There are a few VHF'ers
retiring up there and visiting their cabins so the future
for EN55 looks brighter for activity than it has in years.

The past few years, I've found operating in flat terrain
right near the SW grid corner of EN55 to be quite fruitful.
But if anyone is ever looking to make more of an expedition
to EN55, Irma Hill is an excellent candidate.

Back in Jan 08, I made a google map of the rove that I did. 
http://tinyurl.com/jan08w9fzrove
You can zoom in on the northern end and look closely where I
placed the markers. I tried to put them as close to where I
really operate when I'm there.

For order, I'd start in EN44, EN54, EN55, and end in EN45.
You could go in other orders.  You are correct about E-skip
openings. You need to change your plans when they arrive.
That means staying longer than maybe you originally planned
in a grid.  WHEN you tend to notice not too much new fresh
meat or the E-cloud just is not moving, THEN it's time to
take down and move.  And once you are in the new grid,
"KC9JLT/Rover in a new grid square" will be part of your
mantra.  Or "KC9JTL/Rover now in EN55".   This is important
if the E-skip is still rolling--the DX stations don't know
your schedule.   IF E-skip never pops, that's where staying
somewhat close to an announced schedule is helpful for the
locals because they look at the clock, know your schedule
and know you aren't in a new grid yet.

And the order of the grids is important if the E-skip
doesn't pop because you want to be in the two rarest of the
grids during prime propagation time which for June starts
after 5pm and runs till about midnight (except too many ops
have pulled the plug by then unfortunately.)  I tend to plan
on operating until about 10:00pm and end up busy till about
11 or 11:30pm on most of my summertime roves.

And speaking of counties for the WIVUCH award
(http://wivuch.com ), I see you'll be in Marathon county for
all four of your Saturday grids (most likely).  So folks
collecting counties can bag Marathon county from you on the
VHF bands.

David, look for WA0VPJ/R to your SW.  They are supposed to
end in EN43 on Sat night I think. I'll have to go check
their schedule.  And I hope to hook up with you on Sat
evening from east/southeast of you.

Lastly, I'm SO glad you are getting out to the Wausau
corner. It's a great corner and really helps out the
regional ops with grids and QSO volume.  I hope you have a
blast.  Twin Cities straight west of there will find you
too. And yes, I occsionally work up to K0AWU in EN37 from
that grid corner.  And yes to N8LIQ and N8PUM in EN-56/66
respectively (if they are on).  And you have a shot with
N0EDV/8 up in EN67.

73
Bruce W9FZ/R  my own plans out shortly



> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 3:07 PM
> To: NLRS List; Badger Contesters List
> Subject: [BC'ers] Which is the most "rare" of EN44, EN45, 
> EN54, and EN55?
> 
> 
> We'll be roving to the grid convergence of EN44,  EN45,
EN54, 
> and EN55 this weekend, operating from there Saturday 
> afternoon and into the night.  If we were to see a nice 6 
> meter opening and nobody in WI/MN is paying attention to
us 
> until it shuts down, which grid would be the best one to
park 
> in to work the 6 meter opening?  Which one would most hams

> want to have?
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> 
> David  W9HQ