10:45am
OK, just about all caught up. Feels good.
On Nov. 8th, 144.240 net control WB9LY in EN54 reported, “Good to be back. Decent signals, no bad weather. Checkins were KD9BGY, K9CCL and N9JBW EN61; KC9RAP EN63; WA9JML and N9ABR EN51; WA9BNZ, WB0SWQ and W9BBP EN40; N8XEW EN71; and KB9MIV EM59.”
(please note that WB9LYH was off on 10/25 and 11/1 and alternate net control N9XKH in EN52il filled in — thanks Dennis for keeping the net going)
Last night there were 10 check-ins. WB9LYH commented, “Lots of wind, tough conditions. Checkins were KD9BGY and N9JBW EN61; KB9IME EN54; WA9JML and N9ABR EN51; K9LQZ EM68; N8XEW EN71; WA9BNZ and W9BBP EN40 and AB9QH EN62.”
I want to point out that even on a night with lousy weather and certainly flat or subpar band conditions, K9LQZ was able to make it from EM68, southwest IN. That’s at least a 420-440 mile path to net control WB9LYH. That’s a classic demonstration of what can be done on 2 meter SSB between stations with good long yagis up in the clear and decent power levels.
IF YOU’RE NEW TO KC9BQA.COM OR WANT MORE INFO ABOUT THE 144.240 SSB NET, here’s the scoop:
THE 144.240 WEDNESDAY NET is typically called by WB9LYH Mark in EN54cl. This is central WI, near WI Rapids. Start time is 9pm eastern/8pm central, year-round.
This net is informal. All licensed amateurs are welcome and we appreciate you helping to spread the word. The goal of the net is simple — to increase activity on 2 meter SSB.
From his central WI QTH, Mark starts out the net looking into the eastern time zone. Within 5-15 minutes, he is edging SE, then S, SW, W, NW and N to finish the net. A net can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on activity levels.
WB9LYH has stacked long yagis from a ridgetop QTH. You do not need this kind of setup to enjoy 2 meter SSB, but it sure helps! Mark can regularly work 300-400+ miles to well-equipped stations pointed his way, under flat band conditions. Remember that antennas are typically horizontally polarized on the SSB/CW side of 2 meters.
WB9LYH loves to push the propagation limits, so please help us spread the word that he’s out there on 144.240 on Wed. nights, looking to find DX. Of course, we appreciate all check-ins, and we really have some loyal ones going back many years. But sometimes you get that rare night where someone checks in from 500, 600+ miles away and that’s exciting.
THE SSB/CW PORTIONS OF VHF/UHF ALWAYS NEED MORE ACTIVITY. You can do you part — Make sure to get on and call some of your own CQ’s, at any old time. Don’t fall into the rut of just getting on for a half hour once a week. The best recipe for a healthy VHF/UHF band is multiple stations in a wide area calling CQ, turning the yagis, looking for contacts.
Another habit to avoid is “just listening”. If there are a few dozen guys in a multi-state area all “just listening” on 2 meters, on 432 MHz, whatever… if everyone is “just listening” how many signals will be heard? That’s right — zero signals. Make yourself heard and keep the band lively.