[NLRS] Microwave Sprint

[WBØLJC]

Hi everyone,

Mel, KCØP, and I made 6 contacts on 10 G today during the
Fall Microwave Sprint.

I operated from the Park and Ride that is East of the Mall of America
in EN34ju. Mel was at the St Charles grid corner and operated from
EN33xw, EN43aw, EN44aa and EN34xa, After finishing these contacts
I moved to EN35. There aren't many useable spots in the Twin Cites
area. I needed to stay close to the grid line as I needed to be at
the U of M golf course by about 1 PM. Mel suggested that there may
be a parking ramp at Rosedale that I could use. I used Google
Earth to look in the area but didn't find anything. After giving it some
thought I looked at some of the lakes around Rosedale. I figured
that the water would give me a tree free take off. I operated from
the north end of Lake Johanna, there is a park and swimming
beach. Unfortunately there are many trees on the south side and the
ground is well above lake level. We did complete contacts when
Mel was in EN34xa and EN44aa before we ran out of time. Signals
were weak but easy on SSB. The distance's of these Q's were
about 150 km, 95 miles.

Mel and Bill, KØAWU, ran a sked in the morning but nothing was
heard either way.

I wish a few more of the group had been on. Keep the sprints in
mind for next year. They only last a few hours and give the chance
to play around with out being overly concerned with the score.

73, Gary  WBØLJC