KC9BQA

3:50pm Wed.

Last day of August — where did this summer go?

I still like to announce every major VHF/UHF contest and the last one for 2016 is the ARRL Sept. VHF Contest.  The next multi-band contest isn’t until the ARRL Jan. VHF in early 2017.

The ARRL Sept. VHF contest starts at 1pm central (1800 UTC time) on Sat., Sept. 10th, and runs 33 hours until 10pm central Sun, Sept. 11th (or 0300 UTC time on Monday, Sept. 12th).  All bands 50 MHz and higher are in play.  Link to the ARRL announcement and rules — http://www.arrl.org/september-vhf

  Please help spread the word and talk the contest up.  Start making plans to get on the air.   Consider posting your contest plans here —  http://tinyurl.com/SeptVHF2016   That links to an interactive Google spreadsheet created by W0UC Paul in EN44.  You can view contest plans by both fixed stations and rovers there.  Please add your own plans (even if they’re casual) and help spread the word.  VHF/UHF needs more signals on the air.

Please read the following before you post any plans to the tinyurl link above.

1)  I know nothing about a Google spreadsheet.  I’m just the messenger.
2)  Notice on the lower left that there are tabs for both fixed stations and rovers.
3)  Even if you’re part-time or you don’t know exactly when you can be on, post your general intentions anyway.  This is fun, not a legally binding contract.  ?
4)  We kindly ask that with this sheet, the emphasis remains on WI and nearby states.  We’re NOT trying to create a nationwide sheet.  If you are more than say 300-400 miles from WI, considering doing something similar for your own area.  It would be a big boost to V/UHF contesting if there were similar listings for other parts of the USA and Canada.
5)  Because this is an interactive spreadsheet, remember to check back from time-to-time and view updated plans from both fixed stations and rovers.

3:45pm Wed.

Been meaning to make this post for a few days.

The Fall VHF Sprints need your participation.   Start making plans to get on 2 meters on the evening of Mon, Sept. 19th, from 7-11pm in your local time zone.  The info page for the Fall Sprints is here  http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf

Back on Sunday, I received an enthusiastic email about the 2 meter Fall Sprint from N0HJZ Rich.  I will share it here, in hopes that it will reach a wider audience.

“Hi All –

I’ve been enjoying getting back on the VHF/UHF bands after a long break. I saw that the Fall VHF/UHF sprints are coming up.

I wanted to look at one event, the 2-Meter Fall Sprint, and see if we could activate the entire Upper Midwest. To do so, we’re going to need everyones help, a bunch of rovers and some propagation!

The 2-Meter Fall Sprint is Monday, September 19th from 7-11pm (local time).

Can we activate the entire Upper Midwest?! Can we activate 50-100 grids for four hours?! Could we activate the entire EN grid field?

I’ll be sending out a bunch of private emails, sending out updates on the reflector and collecting rover schedules. Who will commit to being on the air for one night for four hours?!

I’m looking at a six-grid trip to EN25, 26, 16, 15, 14 & 24.

Let me know if you’ll be on the air!

Write it on the calendar – Monday, September 19th from 7 – 11 pm. I’m working with the Sun on a huge aurora that night!

73
Rich N0HJZ”

OK, you read it here.  There’s going to be a big push for the 2016 Fall 2 meter Sprint.  Get busy spreading the word and make plans to get on the air.
You can share your plans to operate at this interactive Google spreadsheet created by W0UC Paul in EN44.  http://tinyurl.com/FallSprint2016  As well as view plans from other VHF’ers, both fixed stations and rovers (see the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet)

11:30am Thur.

Pleased to report great bands and activity last night.
In WB9LYH’s words, “We have had remarkable propagation the past few days, and good tonite (Wed) to the east.  Checkins were WA9JML EN51;  KC9RAP EN63;  WB8LNG EM79;  AB9QH and KC9VHD EN62;  KC9RIO, N9IYV, N9JBW and KD9BGY EN61;  W8SOL EN71;  WA9BNZ, W9BBP and WB0SWQ EN40;  W1JWS EN50;   N9RXM and AC0RA EN41, and KA0PQW EN33.  WA3EOQ in FM09 reported hearing bits of the ssb.  Lots of fun.”

I know that the following net info gets repetitive for “regulars” but I never know when we’ll have new visitors to kc9bqa.com so here goes:
The 144.240 net is called every Wed. at 8pm central/9pm eastern by WB9LYH.  Mark is in EN54cl, central WI, about an hour and a half west of Green Bay.  Mark has a pair of 17B2’s (horizontally polarized, as is the custom on the SSB/CW side of VHF/UHF) and 500 watts from a ridgetop QTH and he routinely gets out 400+ miles to other well-equipped stations.
WB9LYH appreciates all check-ins, local and DX.  He does enjoy pushing the propagation limits.  Please let VHF’ers in a very wide radius know that we’re on the air on Wed. nights.  With warm summer nights comes potential band enhancement.  Let stations in that 500-1000 mile range know about us.

From central WI, WB9LYH starts out looking NE, E and SE.  Eastern time zone is always targeted first with the 144.240 Wed. net.  From there, Mark starts edging S, then SW, W, NW and N to finish.  All licensed amateurs are welcome; the net is informal and the purpose is to increase activity on 2 meter SSB.  We have had 100’s of unique calls to the net over the past 7+ years.  We appreciate you helping to spread the word and doing your part to make the SSB/CW portions of the VHF/UHF bands more active.

2:50pm Friday

It’s time to promote the ON4KST.com real-time ham chat rooms again.  I have a permanent link on the middle right side of the home page here at kc9bqa.com but I know how it is, trying to scan a website for every useful nugget of info and your eyes start glazing over.  So here’s what you need to know:

2:45pm Friday

Wednesday 144.240 net control WB9LYH said that 2 nights ago, propagation was not so good and few stations were on.  The 8 check-ins were WA9JML EN51;  AB9QH EN62;  W9BBP, WA9BNZ and WB0SWQ EN40;  N9RXM and KD0JNQ EN41 and KA0PQW EN33.  Nice to hear from Matt in EN33, Ellendale, MN.
WB9LYH also noted that KA0EIV was heard in the noise, not enough for a contact.  He advised on the chat board (talking the ON4KST.com real-time ham chat, I will make a separate post next about that) that his antenna was damaged, but some compromise effort at 10 feet was still heard slightly.

Net control Mark says he expects to be on for the next few weeks.  If you need more details about the Wed. 144.240 net (start time 8pm central/9pm eastern), just read the post below this one at kc9bqa.com.

9:15am Friday
WB9LYH’s net report said, “Propagation!  Good signals especially to the east.”
Check-ins were:  VE3ZV EN92;  W8IO EN63;  N8WAC EN81;  K8TQK EM89;  WB8LNG EM79;  WA9JML EN51;  N9JBW and KD9BGY EN61;  KC9PYV EN52;  N9RXM, KC9OVD and NG9K EN41;  WB0SWQ, WA9BNZ and W9BBP EN40.  Also W1JWS tried checking in with a halo, but no luck.
Pleased to note that KC9PYV is a new all-time check-in to the net.  Welcome and glad you’re on 2 meter SSB.

I would expect WB9LYH to be on again next Wed. at the usual start time of 8pm central/9pm eastern.

I know that the following net info gets repetitive for “regulars” but I never know when we’ll have new visitors to kc9bqa.com so here goes:
The 144.240 net is called every Wed. at 8pm central/9pm eastern by WB9LYH.  Mark is in EN54cl, central WI, about an hour and a half west of Green Bay.  Mark has a pair of 17B2’s (horizontally polarized, as is the custom on the SSB/CW side of VHF/UHF) and 500 watts from a ridgetop QTH and he routinely gets out 400+ miles to other well-equipped stations.
WB9LYH appreciates all check-ins, local and DX.  He does enjoy pushing the propagation limits.  Please let VHF’ers in a very wide radius know that we’re on the air on Wed. nights.  With warm summer nights comes potential band enhancement.  Let stations in that 500-1000 mile range know about us.

From central WI, WB9LYH starts out looking NE, E and SE.  Eastern time zone is always targeted first with the 144.240 Wed. net.  From there, Mark starts edging S, then SW, W, NW and N to finish.  All licensed amateurs are welcome; the net is informal and the purpose is to increase activity on 2 meter SSB.  We have had 100’s of unique calls to the net over the past 7+ years.  We appreciate you helping to spread the word and doing your part to make the SSB/CW portions of the VHF/UHF bands more active.

10:30am Monday

WB9LYH also wants everyone to know that K8TQK’s rotor problems have been fixed and Bob is back on the air with his mammoth signal from south-central OH (EM89je).  Imagine this means K8TQK is back to calling his 144.252 net (Yes, 144.252) every Monday at 8:30pm eastern.  When I was on the air, I was able to hear K8TQK (when our horizontal yagis were pointed at each other) 98% of the time, sometimes as well as S7-S9.  This was a 392 mile path.  WB9LYH works K8TQK on a 460+ mile path.  This is what good stations are capable of on 2 meter SSB, anytime, without special band conditions.  Just good high-gain antennas up in the clear, fed with low-loss coax and at least 100W of power.  Remember that the standard on the SSB/CW side of VHF/UHF is to have horizontally polarized antennas.

So again, on Monday nights, you want to be on 144.252 MHz and turn toward K8TQK at 8:30pm eastern.  Bob’s in grid square EM89je, far south-central OH, near Chillicothe.  This is also a friendly, relaxed net with check-ins from many states, sometimes as many as 12, 15 or more.  K8TQK’s antenna pattern from EM89 is to look N first, then NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW over the next 45-60 minutes.  Please help spread the word and enjoy being able to work one of the best VHF/UHF hams in the USA, going back many decades.

10am Monday

WB9LYH Mark was back calling the 144.240 net last Wed. night.  In his emailed net report he said, “Difficult propagation.  Lots of QSB, not many folks on the band.  Checkins were W8SOL EN71: N9RXM EN41; WB8LNG EM79: K8TQK EM89: WA9BNZ, WB0SWQ and W9BBP EN40.”

Unless I post otherwise, expect WB9LYH (EN54cl, Central WI) to call the net again this Wed., at the usual time of 8pm central/9pm eastern.  Antenna pattern from EN54 is to start out looking NE, then E, SE, S, SW, W, NW and N over the next 45-60 minutes.  Eastern time zone is always targeted first.   All licensed amateurs are welcome, please help spread the word as we love getting more signals on 2 meter SSB.

**HEADS-UP**  Wednesday night is expected to be warm and humid.  It’s late summer, which in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes is the most favored time of year for band enhancement.  I bet signals will be strong on Wed. night.  Please help spread the word to DX stations that WB9LYH loves pushing the propagation limits on Wed. nights on 144.240.    With stacked 17B2’s and 500 watts from a ridgetop QTH, Mark’s the strongest EN54 signal.

11:15am Tue.

Again, the August UHF Contest is this weekend — Aug 6-7.  Runs 24 hours from 1800Z Saturday to 1800Z Sunday.  That’s from 1pm central Sat. until 1pm central Sun.  All bands from 222 and 432 MHz and above are in play.
Go to the post directly below this one at kc9bqa.com for a full rundown of this year’s UHF contest.

For years, W0UC in EN44 has been helping increase participation.  He creates interactive Google spreadsheets for Midwest and Great Lakes VHF/UHF’ers to post their contest plans.  The link to this weekend’s UHF contest spreadsheet is http://tinyurl.com/UHF2016

Now that I’ve shared that link, a few reminders:
Your plans don’t have to be etched in stone; just an indication that you will be on is fine.  Also note that there’s a separate tab on the bottom for rovers.  Please share this resource with the UHF’ers you know in WI/MN/IL/MI/IN/OH/IA/MO/KS/NE/SD and ND.  Plus parts of VE-4 and VE-3 that can work into WI/MN.
I know nothing about Google spreadsheets, I’m just the messenger.  Also W0UC kindly asks that the emphasis remain on areas within 300-400 miles of EN44.  This is NOT a nationwide resource.  It would be great if other parts of the country developed their own contest “sign-up” sheets.

Good luck with this weekend’s UHF contest.  It’s very important for everyone to spread the word.  Please refer hams to kc9bqa.com and the posts I’ve made today (8/2/16) if they need more details.

I originally made this post back on April 3rd and repeated it on July 7th.  With the UHF Contest starting at 1800Z this Saturday, it’s time to get the word out.  Since ARRL dropped the UHF contest for 2016, many casual UHF’ers will (mistakenly) assume there’s no contest this year.  Help spread the word that the UHF contest is still ON for 2016.  Get lots of signals on the air and help ARRL realize they need to reconsider.
Read below and feel free to share this info with your ham buddies, or VHF group, etc.

Back on March 23rd, I received some great news in my email, via the VHF email reflector.
The 2016 AUGUST UHF CONTEST IS ON

If you enjoy V/UHF contesting, it’s important you help spread this news to everyone you know who is on 222, 432, 902, 1296 MHz and higher.   Those are some great bands, and the UHF contest is the best time to find activity.
Again, The 2016 AUGUST UHF CONTEST IS ON.

The announcement below by N6NB Wayne Overbeck is posted in its entirety.

“Please save August 6-7 for the 2016 August UHF Contest.

It will be held as scheduled this year, but under new sponsorship

After ARRL announced that it would not sponsor the UHF Contest in 2016, a group of radio amateurs from coast to coast came together to make sure that the contest does occur in 2016.

The sponsoring group includes the leaders of several large VHF-oriented clubs, two volunteers who write contest results articles for QST, the editor of the “World Above 50 MHz” column in QST, two people with extensive computer log-checking expertise, and others who are concerned about the future of contesting on the amateur bands above 222 MHz.

This will be the 39th annual August UHF Contest. We believe continuity is important.  Even a one-year hiatus is not a good idea for a contest that has shown an upswing in logs submitted for several years in a row.

The new sponsors will try very hard to make the 2016 UHF Contest a good one. There will be gavels awarded to the top-scoring clubs plus certificates for all division leaders.  We will try to publish the results promptly and prominently online and in print.  In addition, the Northern Lights Radio Society will again sponsor “Rovermania” and the limited (three-band) rover award–both fixtures of the August contest.

We already have a website to promote the UHF Contest. It includes a history of the UHF Contest and a photo gallery of rovers in five different time zones.
http://augustuhf.org     OR   http://uhfcontest.org  (either domain name will get you there)

See you on the bands above 222 MHz on August 6-7, 2016 (1800z Saturday until 1800z Sunday).

73, Wayne Overbeck, N6NB”