[NLRS] 10gig contest, 1st weekend

[w0zq at aol.com]

I had a great time up on EN34ir (Buck Hill) this weekend.   We had passing showers on Sunday AM with the bulk of the low level rain showers falling just to our west and south, but we got nicked from time to time.  Nothing was high enough for RS.  The weather, for August, was just outstanding and the coolness helped hold the conditions in fair shape - we did have a sort of mid day lull on Saturday around 10:30 am or so, but then conditions improved after that.   On Saturday the distance to the rover pack started out at 194 km and went as far as 239 km.  On that same day several of us worked W7XU at 362km (cw) and I worked W0LGQ at 414 km which is my best DX for the contest so far.   Signals with Greg were very weak CW.  We tried with Gene, N0DQS, but it was a no go ... we were hearing each other very weakly but no copy.   On Sunday the distance to the rover pack started started out at 247 km and crept down during the day as the rover pack made their way home from Pipestone.  Over the whole weekend almost all Q's were on SSB, just a couple on CW.   
 
Active from the hill on Saturday was N0KP, W0ZQ, KC0IYT, W0LCP, N0AKC, N0EDV, KC0P, KD0EBT, KD0ORM, NB0M, and WA0SSN.   There are a few calls that I am missing.  I saw Mike, KB0OZN near the start on Saturday, then when I looked next, Mike was gone ... where did you go Mike?  The opening hour is always a bit hecktic as op's arrive and we establish an order, but everyone is always welcomed.   On Sunday we had N0KP, W0ZQ, KC0IYT, K0MHC, WB0VHF, W0JT, NB0M, KC0P, and N0EDV.   We have a couple of calls that we need to work with Mel on to determine if they should count for contest credit as we may have run out of loaner rigs.
 
Two additional points that I would like to state.  One, when we have 10+ operators crowed together and aligned to look SW from the southern lip of EN34ir, it is very hard as a collective group to "deny the flank" (to use a cival war term) and get everyone to move.   I apologize to those to the north and northwest, but its just the way it is.  Second, by staying in line, by staying on heading, and by the use of better frequency control (A32 LO's and outboard weak signal sources) we were able to work the rover pack all weekend long without the use of cell phones.   Those on the hill would wait an appropriate time, then start to listen down the last heading plus or minus a few degrees to find the rover pack beaconing.  That was pretty cool and represents a significant improvement in our capability and confidence.  
 
I want to thank Scott and Charlie, N0EDV and N0AKC, for coming over to play.  Also a tip of the hat to Jim, K0MHC who roved on Saturday and then sat with us on the hill on Sunday.   It goes without saying a big thanks to the rover pack, WB0LJC, K0HAC, N0UK, and WA2VOI, for their work, time, and investment.   
 
So what do we want to do for September?   Whatever it is, I am in.   Just ahead of that is the ARRL September VHF contest, so time to start talking that up too.
 
73, Jon
W0ZQ