[NLRS] 10GHZ, first weekend, W0ZQ - brief report

[Jon Platt]

I operated the first weekend of the ARRL's 10G & Up contest with the fixed group located in eastern SD.  On Saturday we operated from the Wilmont Rest Stop, EN15lj.   The weather was decent all day long with a bit of wind early on and with the day ending with a good size thunder storm that chased us off around 6:00pm.  Overnight was in Watertown where the group enjoyed fine dining at the Chinese Buffet.  On Sunday morning it was about a 70 mile drive north from Watertown on I-29 to operate from the Nicolet Tower, EN15kp, located just west of Sisseton.  Again the weather was good and with less wind.    No real enhancement to speak of although it seems like conditions on Saturday were somewhat above average.  Sunday they were about average (in my humble opinion).  We did experience some minor rain scatter, or rain scatter characteristics from time to time.    I have punched my log into RoverLog and it says 128 Q's, 1,500 QSO points, 34,308 distance points, for a total score of 35,808.   The average distance worked per Q was ~ 280 km.   The longest Q was 406 km. Many thanks to my fellow fixed group op's: K0MHC, W7XU, N0QJM, WA2VOI and N0KP.  Working as a team with you guys only made this fun event even more enjoyable. And of course, a bit tip of the hat to the rovers who are out there putting on the miles while we were drinking margaritas.  A big thanks to WB0LJC, K0HAC, AE0EE, N0UK, K0CQ, KA9VVQ, W9FZ, N0LNO, and N0UTP.   Also fixed stations K0AWU and W0GHZ.    73, JonW0ZQ