[NLRS] NLRS & the UHF Contest Results - Always the bridesmaid

[w0zq at aol.com]

Hello NLRS land -

John Kalenowsky, K9JK, has another excellent UHF contest write-up completed and posted on the ARRL's website.  Overall nationally, UHF contest activity was down compared to previous years.  Locally however things were smoking with lots of MN/WI/IL/IA stations showing up in the Top Ten.   

Congratulations to the following NLRS stations (that are within our service area) for their top ten national finish:
* Dave, N0KP, for third place in the SOLP category.
* Paul, W0UC, for third place in the SOHP category.
* Jon, W0ZQ/R, for first place in the rover category
* Mel, KC0P/R, for fifth place in the rover category
* Carol, N0HZO/R, for eight place in the rover category
* John & Mark, WA0VPJ (+AI0Z) for second place in the limited rover category

Also a mention goes to Bill, K0AWU, for his first place SOHP finish in the Dakota Division.  My appologizes to anyone that I may have missed.

The NLRS once again finished second in the medium club category in a real old fashion horse race.  A tip of the hat to the Badger Contesters who claim the number one spot this year with a club score of 294,396 points.   Bruce, W9FZ/R, led the way for the Badgers with his #2 national showing in the rover category while also making the most total number of Q's of any station in the contest.  NLRS finished just 5,250 points behind the Badgers with a total club score of 289,146.  Nice to see a one-two showing, in a real horse race, by upper Midwest clubs !

With winter closing down about us, this is a great time of year to work on equipment.  Repair something, add a band, add some power, etc etc.  Never roved in a contest ... think about putting a rover station together .... may Limited roving.  Warm up that soldering iron.  I know of one fixed station that has recently added 1296 and one rover who has recently added 902 (YES !).   In K9JK's contest write-up, take a look at the graph for Q's made by band.   For those NLRSers who are looking to add some more fun to your station, 902 is an outstanding band where LMR400 and homemade antennas work well.  If your not on 222 yet, why not ?  Give it some thought .... what are you doing to improve your station this winter?  The first contest of the season for those with 2304 and up is in May with the SBMS 2304 & Up Contest along with the various Spring Sprints single band events.  Then we have the ARRL June VHF contest followed quickly by CQWW VHF (6m & 2m only) in July, and then a boat load of contest between then and late September.  Get your stuff ready !

73, Jon
W0ZQ