Last time I was with the Wilmont Rest Stop fixed group we stayed overnight in Watertown which is ~ 40" south of the Rest Stop. Watertown has numerous hotel selections and places to eat. Sisseton is a bit closer to the rest stop at about 25 minutes but is a much smaller town. I believe we had stayed at their Super 8 some time ago. If the rovers use a different route for Saturday vs Sunday then the fixed group could stay "fixed" at Wilmont for both days. The Wilmot Welcome Center & Rest Area offers rest rooms, vending machines, hard shelter if so needed and is a superior VHF location. About 10 minutes south of this rest stop there is a TA Truck Service Center on US HWY 12 that offers all sorts of stuff.

If I go it may be fun to take along a few of the non-contest microwave bands for non-contest Qs. Does anyone need EN15 on 222 through 3400 ? I can do digital on 432 and 1296, maybe 222, else SSB/CW on any band from 3400 down.

Let me know.

73, Jon

W0ZQ

On Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 01:14:36 PM CDT, Gary <[email protected]> wrote:

The second weekend of the 10 G Cumulative is only a few weeks away. It is still undecided what we are going to do.

There are a few ops who are interested in going to going to South Dakota to operate for the weekend.

Wilmot Rest Stop EN15lj86HO is the only site available this time. The previous sites are either unavailable or are not 10 miles from 15lj.

Fixed group at EN15lj:

WA2VOI, WBØEBG and KØSHF (for one day then to EN26cg) have expressed interest in going there to operate.

Rover: WBØLJC

Plans to be on either fixed or rover: WØZQ.

Not available: KØKFC. This means that EN35rj is not available as a fixed site this time.

Rover routes:

I have a few Saturday rover routes in mind.

A short route starting north of Hutchinson and traveling south around MN 15 down to the Fairmont area. This route has distances from about 220 km to 280 km.

A medium distance route that starts near Shakopee and travels South down MN 13 to North of Albert Lea before turning West for a couple of sites and then down to the Kiester area. and West again to the Blue Earth area. Distances are around 280 km to about 330 km.

A long distance route starting south of Northfield and traveling down I-35 until a little south of the Iowa boarder. Then turning to the West. Distances from about 320 km to 370 km.

Sundays return route could be a one of the other above routes.

For all routes some of the sites are known to be good to SD while others may or may not be usable because of corn etc.

Distances to Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois sites are long but there are a few sites that offer excellent views in these directions. Particularly the Kiester site in EN33en. This site would be used later in the day on Saturday or Sunday. Perhaps as late as 6 or 7 PM. Iowa sites should be workable without too much trouble even if the paths are not the best as the distances are moderate.

For anyone who is not currently on the 10 G band, we have loaner rigs available for use. Contact me for information.

Who is interested in getting on for the weekend and what would you like to do?

Please let me know, even if you are not going to be on that air.

73, Gary WBØLJC