[NLRS] June VHF N9ISN

[Allan W Schlaugat]

6: 91 Q's  47 grids
2: 25 Q's  13 grids
432:  15 Q's 10 grids

10220 points  SO-3B category

Started out Saturday very slow. With the ample sunshine and beautiful
weather, I managed to get a lot more done outside than at the radio. I kept
the beams west looking for K0MHC/K0BBC but had no luck. This would be a
recurring theme all weekend. By evening, 6 opened up to a limited area
around CO and NM. Went to bed early so I could get up early.
Sunday greeted me with great enhancements on 2 and 432 to the SE. Got EN52
and heard EN70 on 432. Did get W8BYA on 2 from EN70. The rotor got some
great exercise as I was looking SE, W and N tying for local rovers and the
W0W expedition. Nothing opened on 6 until about 8:30am when the gulf
coast/FL/TX opened up. Opening was strong but activity was weak. After
thinking I've worked every station in the EM40-50-60 grids, I had lunch and
took a quick nap. By mid-afternoon 6 was dead with only a weak opening back
to EM10 towards the end of the contest. With 6 done, I was looking for
locals but Sunday activity was way down despite the cold and drizzle. I did
finally work the guys up in EN48 nice and strong on 6 but heard nothing on
144.208 on the QSY. K0BBC popped up on EN24 and worked the bands there but
never heard K0MHC. It seems the whole contest was missed opportunities. The
highlights were working EN70 on 2m and EN52 on 432. Getting W0W in EN48 was
huge and I treated myself to a barley pop after working them. All time new
grid on 6! Great job guys!!!!
The lowlights was the fact I could not work K0MHC in the EN0x and EN1x
grids. And I couldn't get N0EO in EN37 on 432 despite 2 tries at 2
different times. They were a beacon all contest. 
With the 3B category power limits, I felt weak on 6m especially. 2m was OK
and 432 with its 50 watt limit cost me Q's in EN70 and I am sure N0EO. For
September, I am back to SOLP so I can run 200 on 6 and 2 and 100 on 222/432
again. 3db makes all the difference.  :-)

Thanks for the contacts!!   73   Al   N9ISN   EN44 NW of Eau Claire, WI
-- 
Allan W. Schlaugat                    Albertville, WI  USA
Amateur Radio: N9ISN            Home Page:   www.n9isn.com
American Philatelic Society #186089            CWOP: AU450                 

'Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antenna bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free'
-Rush "The Spirit of Radio" 1981