Hi Everyone,

Still hoping to hear from many of the locals who haven't informed me of their plans. If that applies to  you, Please let me know.

A few changes since yesterday. Changes are *****.

I will publish rover liaison phone numbers when we decide on who will be handling the calls.

Here is the basic info:

Rovers:  WBØLJC, Larry, WA9TT, Chris NØUK and Holly KØHAC.

****Rover Group #2: , VA3ECO and VE3SA. They are planning to rove in the Red River Valley. Barry, VE4MA, felt there were too many fixed ops. He was going to lead the group but will be staying home to give them someone to work. They have no history with us as rovers, but have roved with Barry in Canada previously. ****Their general plan is to start at the North end of I-29 and travel south during the day. Probably end the day near Fargo. The travel back north on Sunday. Rigs are something around 8W & 2'dish.

Rover Group#3: KA9VVQ, Janice, and W9FZ, Bruce. They plan to be on from Wisconsin, exactly where is to be determined. Possible  areas on Saturday  are from Mashfield to Elk Mound and Eleva while looking for good sites. Sunday in the Hillsboro to Cashton and Viroqua areas. Maybe further SW  to near Prairie du Chein. Bruce will just be back from some international flights and doesn't feel he is up to all of the driving from Wisconsin in order to join the rovers. More when they have finalized their plans.

Fixed#1 at the SD sites: KØKFC,  WØZQ, NØKP and WA2VOI both days. KØSHF on Saturday then EN26cg on Sunday at his trailer site.
KØMHC, Jim, will be at the SD site for Saturday only. Not operational on Sunday.

Donn, WA2VOI, has checked on the availability of the Nicollet tower site for Sunday.  The site is a go for Sunday. Donn has received permission. Donn is coordinating with those at the fixed site. If you plan to go there and need it, I will send you his information.

*****WFØT, Warren, will not be able to be on for the August weekend. He does plan to be on for the September weekend, maybe the last time we he will be in town, as they have sold their house and will be moving to Nevada.

The fixed sites are the Wilmot Rest Stop, EN15lj86HO on Saturday and then at the Nicollet Tower site EN15KP48BG, on Sunday.

****Fixed site liaison phone number--Jon, 952-807-3816.

****Jon, WØZQ has supplied the following extra information:


Fixed site #2:VE4MA, Barry from his home QTH. Goal is to work rover group #2 for the most part.

Others:

Missouri ops. Staying near home for the weekend. Most likely they will be on from EM49hq.

KØAWU, Bill, will be available from home in EN37ed. Call for sked.

For MN ops who may be on from home or near home. The distances to these stations from the rover sites are on the short side and the paths poor. However, given the short paths the "locals" should be workable from most of the rover sites.

N9EM, John, at best a maybe. Elevation problems with his dish and a planned move of equipment to a 10 story building site hasn't occurred. Willing to listen for a signal.

WD9BGA, Karl, his 10 G equipment isn't working because of a failed rotor. Small chance that he gets it replaced before the contest.

KCØSKM, May be on from an unknown site near Alexandria. He is in the process of moving to the area. If he is in the area for the weekend he will try to get on. He doesn't have his equipment in Iowa, so no activity from there.

ACØRA, Wyatt's has made no plans at this time.

W9ZIH, Ron will be on. Call for sked.

WQØP, Greg, will be on for home in EM19wf. 8 W to a 2' dish at 30'.

*****K9TMS, Tom, will try to be on from someplace near home, possibly Grayslake, Ill. I don't have any further information at this time.

*****W9HQ, David, has found out that he can be on for a short time from a site near home. He is still working on getting his equipment checked out. More when he decides on his operating QTH.

Not on this time: NØAKC.
NØLNO & NØUTP don't plan to be on for the contest.
W7XU, Arliss, will not be able to be on for the first weekend. He hopes to be on for September.
WBØEBG, Ray will not be on for August but plans for be on for September.

Most of the sites I have looked at have limited views in any direction other then to the fixed site. There are a few that are good to the South, especially the Kiester site. It would be used after 6PM on Saturday and early morning on Sunday, probably not much later then 8 AM.

Operating times 7:30 AM to 6 PM on Saturday. Sunday 7:30 or 8 AM on Sunday until 5 or 6 PM. I am willing to find sites if anyone will stay on later either day, especially Sunday. For the longer shots we would start earlier and stay later either day.

If you want to get on and don't have a rig, we have loaners for you to use. Let us know.

73, Gary WBØLJC