KC9BQA

9:45pm Thur.

Here’s a copy and paste from an email I got recently announcing the Spring VHF and up Sprints.  Feel free to share this info and help get more signals on the air.

The Central States VHF Society is proud to sponsor and announce the dates and times for the 2018 run of the VHF and up Spring Sprints!

144 MHz: Monday, 4/09/18 from 7 – 11 PM local, Exchange: 4 char grid

222 MHz: Tuesday, 4/17/18 from 7 – 11 PM local, Exchange: 4 char grid

432 MHz: Wednesday, 4/25/18 from 7 – 11 PM local, Exchange: 4 char grid

Microwave, 902 MHz and up: Saturday, 5/5/18 from 8 AM – 2 PM local, Exchange: 6 char grid

50 MHz: Saturday, 5/12/18 from 2300Z until 0300Z Sunday, 5/13/18, Exchange: 4 char grid

Classes: Stations will be classified as either Single Op or Rover. A portable or mobile station that operates from only one grid is considered a Single Op station. A Rover must operate from at least 2 grid squares.

More information and rules are posted at: https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home

73
Kent O’Dell KA2KQM, Mike Metroka WB8BZK & Jon Platt W0ZQ
Central States VHF Society Spring Sprint Organizing Committee

KC9BQA repeats:   Please help spread the word about the Spring VHF Sprints and make plans to get on the air!

9pm Thur.

On March 21st, 144.240 net control WB9LYH emailed to say, “Good to be back. Signals are better with the spring weather.  Checkins were KC9TNK EN44; KC9RAP EN63; KD9BGY, N9IYV, K9CCL and N9JBW EN61; AB9QH, N9NDP and KC9VHD EN62; WA9JML and N9ABR EN51;  N9RXM EN41; WA9BNZ and W9BBP EN40;  W9YZU EM69;  and a one-way contact with VE3ZV in EN92.

Last night — Mar 28th — WB9LYH again noted, “propagation is better with the warmer weather. Checkins were WA9TT and W9KYX EN54;  WA9JML EN51;  N8XEW EN71;  N9RXM EN41;  WA9BNZ EN40;  N0RWR EN42;  W9YZU EM69;  KC9TNK EN44 and WB9TFH EN53.”

It sounds like WB9LYH in EN54cl, Central WI will call the net as usual for the next several Wednesdays.  Start time is 8pm central/9pm eastern.

If you need more info about the 144.240 Wed. net, scroll down to the 2nd half of a March 1st post here at kc9bqa.com.

11am Tues.
There was a good turnout for the 144.240 net last Wed.  Net control WB9LYH said, “Tough conditions, a storm to the east.  Checkins were:  N9IYV, K9CCL, K9ILU, KD9BGY, WA9HIR and N9KKF EN61;  AB9QH and KC9VHD EN62;  N9ABR and WA9JML EN51;  W9BBP and WA9BNZ EN40;  N9RXM EN41;  N0RWR EN42 and KC9TNK EN44.”

WB9LYH also went on to say that N9XKH will call the net tomorrow night (Wed., 3/13/18)
N9XKH Dennis fills in occasionally when WB9LYH needs cover.  N9XKH is located on the WI/ILL state line, southwest of Madison, WI.  Grid square is EN52il.  Dennis enjoys getting on 2 meter SSB but he doesn’t have a lot of free time.  So when N9XKH is able to call a net, he really appreciates lots of activity, so he can learn how well he’s hearing and being heard.

The 144.240 net starts at 8pm central/9pm eastern every Wednesday.  If you need more info about the net, check the 2nd half of the post right below this one, dated March 1st, at kc9bqa.com.

2:45pm Thur.

IF YOU HAVEN’T VISITED IN A WHILE, please scroll thru the posts below this one.  I got on a posting spree last week and detailed lots of other nets and activity nights you can enjoy on the SSB portions of VHF/UHF bands.

NET REPORTS

Last Wed., 144.240 net control WB9LYH reported, “Difficult prop., few stations on the band.  Checkins were WA9JML EN51;  KD9BGY, K9CCL and N9KKF EN61;  AB9QH and KC9VHD EN62;  W9BBP and WA9BNZ EN40;  N9RXM EN41 and N0RWR EN42.”
We had just gotten thru flirting with an ice storm in parts of WI and Mark also noted, “It appears that rf energy melts ice on the antennas.  Halfway thru the net the meters looked better.”

In last night’s net report WB9LYH said, “Good propagation but not all that far out.  Checkins were W9LYX EN54;  WA9JML and N9ABR EN51;  AB9QH and KC9VHD EN62;  K9ILU, K9CCL, N9IYV and N9JBW EN61;  WB8LNG EM79;  N9RXM EN41;  WB0SWQ and W9BBP EN40;  N0RWR EN42 and KC9TNK EN44. ”
I (KC9BQA) am pleased to welcome another new checkin to the net.  Hello to W9LYX, thanks for getting on 2 meter SSB.

The Wed. 144.240 net is called by WB9LYH in EN54cl, Central WI, near Wi. Rapids.  Start time is 8pm central/9pm eastern.  All licensed amateurs are welcome to listen along or say hello when they can.  The net is informal and the purpose is to increase activity on 2 meter SSB.  Please help by spreading the word about our net and the other nets and activity nights I detail here at kc9bqa.com.
Do your own part for the bands and call CQ at any old time.  Don’t fall into the habit of “just listening”.  If a few dozen guys are at the radio and they’re all “just listening” how many signals are heard??

WB9LYH has a pair of long yagis and 500 watts from a ridgetop QTH.  The yagis are horizontally polarized, which is the custom on the SSB/CW/Digi sides of VHF/UHF bands.   Mark can routinely work stations out to 300-450 miles if they have good, higher-gain antennas up in the clear pointed at him.  This is under flat band conditions; distances can increase if there’s enhanced propagation.
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 have loyal ones going back many years. But sometimes you get a night where someone checks in from 500, 600+ miles away and that’s exciting.
WB9LYH’s antenna pattern is to start out looking ENE from EN54, then steadily move clockwise over the next 30-45 minutes. Talking E, SE, S, SW, W, NW and he wraps things up looking north.