[NLRS] Operating hints and informal meeting Wed nights at 8pm on 144.220

[Mary Brown]

We should get a weekly net but not a net going on 2m to discuss operating
hints for the newer stations. Maybe Wed. nights at 8? Informal jump into the
discussion type gathering. Anyone can pick the topic they want to see
discussed or ask a question! 144.200 for the frequency uness somebody has a
bad birdies there

 

Here is one pointer:

 

During these 2m e-skip openings I have been CQing "2m e-skip looking
X(direction)" to only have locals calling me off the back or side of the
antennas. Guys, I have a 15 degree beam width and a lot of front to back,
sure I can hear you but not well and bringing the EME array around takes
time! 60 seconds for 360 degrees. 

 

During a band opening I am not looking to talk to locals, I am looking for
DX! Like the nice 1160 mile hop into southern TX yesterday! I can work you
guys any day of the week, local to me is anyone within 150 miles. If the
band is open work the DX not me! 

 

If you have a modern radio watch the waterfall to see stations up and down
the band, right now I can just see the WD9BGA/b beacon(350 miles from me)
for example telling me band conditions are flat in that direction(I park my
antennas that way, most of my winds are either NW or SE). During that east
coast 2m E opening I could see stations +-20 kc either side of the calling
frequency. They have more QRM issues with more big guns packed into a small
area so they have to spread out or they clobber each other. Not as bad here
in MN but enough of us running 200+ watts that we need to work on it too! 

 

There is a beacon list on the club website, it is a VERY handy tool for band
openings! 

 

Mary

W0AAT

EN24ho