[NLRS] Memories of Aurora (the gathering--not the geophysical event)

[Bruce Richardson]

I see from the nlrs.club website that the Aurora gatherings started in 1984
by K0FQA (sk).  I wasn't at those first few events.

In the late 80s, I was up in Grand Forks and came down to the Twin Cities
for the big Midwinter Madness hamfest that was held at the Olympic Sports
Facility in Blaine.  It was in February and was very popular.  The first
Aurora gatherings I went to were held on the same date as the Midwinter
Hamfest, but in the afternoon. They were held at a building that W0UC owned
(or managed) over on Unity Avenue.  The hamfest was in the morning.  The
VHF'ers who wanted to attend the Aurora gathering would depart the hamfest
at lunchtime and proceed to the Aurora event. There were technical
presentations during the afternoon. Since it was February, there wasn't any
outdoor trunk-fest.  A few flea-market items were brought in to the back of
the conference room.

Meeting VHF'ers from throughout the region face-to-face at Aurora gatherings
has increased my enjoyment of the VHF+ hobby over the years.  After meeting
at an Aurora gathering, future QSOs had more value as I now knew the person
as more than just a call-sign.

In the early 90s, one of the most memorable technical presentations (for me)
was a 24" "BBQ-style" dish on a tripod aimed out the window of the Unity Ave
"Aurora" conference room.  The dishfeed was a simple "triband" dishfeed on
PC board material.  Also on the tripod was a 2304 No Tune Transverter hooked
to a 2m IF rig.  Those early transverters were 10mw.  Well, this transverter
and dish were pointing out the window toward K0FQA's house about 15 miles
away over hilly and wooded terrain.  At his house, he had a similar set-up
beaming a 10mw beacon at the Aurora site.  The indoor receive set-up (that
we stood around and looked at) heard the 10mw just fine.  Many Aurora
attendees were impressed and over the next year or so, several operators put
10mw Transverters on the air (mostly in rover set-ups).  This activity
increased QSO points and multipliers for VHF+ contest entries.  (I recall
that 70 miles was my record between two similar 10mw stations. Later, at the
6w level, I worked 200 miles.)

Eventually, as the Midwinter Madness hamfest changed dates and locations,
the NLRS decided to hold the Aurora gathering on its own date, separate from
Midwinter Madness Hamfest.  I recall that we used a church in Roseville for
a few years.  We spent many years at a church in White Bear Lake.  A few
years ago, we made the move to the current West Medicine Lake Community
Club.

I recall that we experimented with different dates over the years.  For many
years, Aurora was held in late April.  Sometimes it worked out very well
with pleasant spring weather. Sometimes it was uncomfortably chilly and even
snowy.   The morning antenna range and parking lot activity (it's NOT a flea
market) has become very popular.  For me, the morning of socializing flies
by.  In the mornings, we've had demonstrations of microwaves and "light"
equipment making short-distance contacts.  

We've had many interesting technical presentations over the years (indoors)
during the afternoon session.  I recall Mel KC0P teaching us about Tesla
Coils.  In a recent year, I found Rob K0XL's work (and fabrication skill) on
6m loop antennas fascinating.

I am looking forward to Aurora '25 in just over a week.  What are some of
your memories of Aurora gatherings over the years?

It takes people to make a party.  Please attend--it will be good to see you
and socialize. (Bring a hat, sun goop, and even a chair for the morning.)

73
Bruce Richardson W9FZ