[NLRS] Aurora 2021

[Jon Platt]

Hello NLRS land
As we all know Aurora'20 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Aurora'20, which was planned for April 25th 2020, was to have been our 37th annual gathering of weak signal VHFers.  Conferences such as this don't occur without some advanced planning and given that our Aurora conferences have traditionally been held in late April, occasionally early May, we need to consider our plans for Aurora'21 if we wish to stay with these same dates and conference format.   In discussion with others, although there is certainly some hopeful news regarding at least two vaccines, the vaccine roll out and its effectiveness timing make planning a traditional April based Aurora conference iffy.   As such, and at this time, it doesn't appear that we will be holding a traditional format April Aurora conference in 2021.  ...However, looking into the tea leaves, it does appear likely that we may be able to have a social gathering/conference later in 2021, perhaps sometime in June or later.   Also, such a social gathering/conference doesn't necessarily have to be of the same format as our traditional Auroras.  For example we could hold a NLRS picnic with a flea market, maybe some antenna or system testing, a rover rove, etc.  Aurora has traditionally been held in late April because as we move later into the Summer and Fall months we run into other conferences such as Dayton, CSVHFS and MUD, along with then the VHF then HF contest seasons.  Finding a post April date is a challenge.  So a question to ask the club (i.e., you) is this; if we were to have such a gathering where and when would we do this, and what would be the format? ...In summary, while we have not formally cancelled it, it looks unlikely that we will be holding our traditional April based Aurora conference at this time.  More likely to occur would be a NLRS social event of some type and at some date & place later in the year and as outlined above.  If you have some ideas as to where to hold such a picnic (or other event), when, and a format please drop me an email direct.  Perhaps such a gathering is something that could be merged with another conference and/or club....Comments welcomed....73, JonW0ZQ