[NLRS] Visit KC9BQA.com because ...

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   I've made multiple updates the past two days.  

   Yes, the Wed. nets are ON tonight.  Just like they have 
been since June 2008.  That net info is at the bottom.  

   I'd appreciate it if you'd take a minute to read the rest.  

   2 biggest items are:
   1)  50 MHz Fall Sprint is THIS SAT, AUG 11, FROM 
2000-0000 UTC time.  This was mentioned last night by 
K9JK, and I appreciate John letting us know.  I'm rebroad-
casting this news to my email lists of V/UHF'ers in multiple 
states and grids.  
    Please help spread the word that the 50 MHz Fall Sprint 
is happening in only 3 days.   

   2)  Grid square EM58 (western part, just east of St. Louis) 
will be activated by a newer VHF'er, who will be able to 
put up yagis and loops at the 110' level.  This activation will 
be from (roughly) 9am-4pm central time, this Sat., Aug 11th.  
     KM9O has asked me to put the word out, because he 
wants to make plenty of contacts and to see how far out 
good antennas up 110' can get.  I want him to get plenty of 
activity so he'll stay interested in weak-signal V/U.  
     The EM58 op will be using the callsign W9ABG and will 
have at least 144 and 432 MHz.  I have more details up at 
kc9bqa.com.  


    A 3rd item would be that the UHF contest was awful.  
Poor prop, challenges from scattered to widespread t-storms 
and worst of all, a very low turnout.  Seems as long as I've 
been on the air (2003-04) I've always heard that the UHF 
contest is in trouble.  2011 was slow and this year was way 
worse than last.  Not sure what can be done, but if you care, 
I've yapped about it at kc9bqa.com.  

     Let's make the ARRL Sept. VHF Contest a big priority 
this year.  It's on Sept 8-9th.  An early post about that is 
also up at kc9bqa.com.  You are free to use anything pro-
moting contests if it will help you get more guys on in your 
area.  

     Tonight's long-range nets will be called by:  
     K8TQK on 144.252 @0030Z from EM89je and 
    WB9LYH on 144.240 @0100Z from EN54cl   

     Thanks for your time, 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  

     PS to NLRS:   I stopped sending weekly announcements to 
the Midwest V/U groups because I have learned how few 
contesters will check into a weekly net.  (Which I actually get, 
so no hard feelings)  The nets do pretty well anyway, and 
ironically, only a few net guys will get on for the contests.    
     I sent this email today to remind you that kc9bqa.com still 
does a lot to promote V/UHF, plus the contests.  If you visit 
once/twice a week, you will get QST you might not find any-
where else, like this EM58 activation on Saturday.