[NLRS] Brief overview of Auora'19

[Jon Platt]

One problem with brief summaries is that they sometimes "miss" things.  I forgot to mention that another morning highlight at Aurora'19 was the parking lot demonstration of the experimental light communication systems built by WF0T and K0XL.  They followed this up with their technical presentation in the afternoon.   Pretty amazing what is being done with LEDs these days.   I am still exploring options for how to post our afternoon technical presentations. 73, JonW0ZQ  -----Original Message-----
From: Jon Platt <w0zq at aol.com>
To: nlrs <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sun, Apr 28, 2019 10:06 am
Subject: Brief overview of Auora'19

Hello NLRS land The snow (and rain) stayed to our south so we stayed dry, but we did have a cool east breeze that resulted in a somewhat truncated morning session.  Morning highlights included a demonstration of VE4MA's 78 GHz unit, looking over Doug and Ray's 12 foot mobile mounted dish, the tailgate exchange of some VHF+ related equipment, and lots of socializing and planning.  Our afternoon technical program went off pretty much on schedule and with only a few minor hick-ups.  Presentations were:   
   - Stimulating VHF Contest Activity by Bill Mitchell AE0EE
   - DXing On 78GHz In The Desert Southwest by Barry Malowanchuk VE4MA
   - Advances In Light Communications by Warren Ferber WF0T
   - A Rover Friendly APRS Propagation Tool by Bill Mitchell AE0EE
   - Impact Of Terrain On 6m Rovers by Jon Platt W0ZQ
   - Roving In January by Mel Larson KC0P
   - Rovers: Ingress/Egress Of Feedlines Jerry Johnson K0CQ.
.During our afternoon business meeting we voted to donate $50 to QTH.NET, $150 to the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund, and $150 to the ARRL Education & Technology fund.  We also selected a tentative date of April 25 for Aurora'20.   Full meeting minutes will be available in a few weeks.   This years Wesslund Award was presented as follows:  This year’s Wesslund Award winner is a relative new comer to the World Above having received his license in September 2009. In a relatively short time period, our award winner has enthusiastically jumped into the World Above with satellite, EME, roving, and Grid-expeditions activities. On satellite, having first confirmed 100 grids, our award winner received his Satellite VUCC in 2011. Since 2011 he has gone on to confirm 1,194 grids placing him in 7th place on the Satellite grid leaders board. In 2012 our award winner set a new AO-7 satellite world distance record of 7903.55km. In addition, our award winner has helped to promote VHF activity with several grid-expeditions handing out rare grids on both satellite as well as 6 and 2 meters often using digital modes. Over the last few years our award winner has captured several division and national ARRL VHF contest records including a new CQ World Wide VHF rover record in 2018. Additionally, our award winner has encouraged others to operate on the VHF and up bands by bringing his rover to various club meetings. His energy and enthusiasm, along with encouragement to others, has led to increased VHF and up activity. This year’s Wesslund Award travels south to the land of the tall corn. Please give a hand to this year’s award winner, Wyatt Dirks, AC0RA.  Thanks to every one who attended and supported Aurora'19.   Aurora'19 was our 36th consecutive year.  A special note was made for John Lieberg, K0FQA (SK) who started our Aurora conferences in 1984. Comments welcomed. 73, JonW0ZQ