Other VHF/UHF nets you can enjoy
I can think of a handful of other nets where you can check in and see how propagation is. I’d print these out and keep them somewhere handy, so you have a visual reminder.
Sunday evenings, the NLRS guys out of Minnesota run on different bands.
N0KP starts things out from EN34 on 222.120 at 8:15pm.
At 8:30pm, it’s then K0SIX (formerly N0VZJ) from EN35 on 50.175. Vince is a good guy and has a very nice 6 meter station. Vince would enjoy any new check-ins.
At 9pm, it’s then KA0PQW on 144.250 from EN33. Matt also checks in to my nets, and puts out a good signal. Matt has encouraged me to spread the word of his net, so say hello to him. ALSO — know that Matt is reporting interference on 144.250 and he may be changing the net frequency soon. If he does, it’ll be either 144.240 or 144.260, and I’ll announce it here when I know more.
EDIT — KA0PQW emailed to say that effective June 7th, the Sunday night NLRS net at 9pm will QSY to 144.260.
It’s on 144.250 until June 7th, and from then on, 144.260.
On Mondays, there are two options.
N0PB Phil calls a net on 144.250, starting at 7:45pm. N0PB is down in EM39, north-central/northeast MO. He’s got a strong station from a great QTH, and I hear him all the time.
From 7:45-8pm, Phil calls CQ on a pair of omni-directional loops. Then at 8pm, he switches to beams, and swings around, like I do. He looks south at the start; at 8:15pm, he looks east; at 8:30, north; at 8:45, west and by 9pm, he’s back to the south. All times are approximate, +/- band conditions and number of check-ins.
N0PB typically gets 2-3 dozen check-ins from 15-25 grid squares and 8-12 states. So he gets out very well. He’s also one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, so please say hello on Monday nights, when you get a chance.
Also on Mondays, there’s a 432 net. N4PZ calls it from EN52gb, or just SW of Rockford, IL, starting at 7pm. Steve’s got a great 432 station, and when he peaks his beam and kilowatt up on you, you will know it.
On Wednesdays, of course, there’s my 2 nets. 144.240 from 7:15-8:15pm and 144.250 from 8:30-9:30pm.
On Thursdays, there’s more 2 meter fun. N9JBW John from EN61, south side of Chicago, calls a very active net on 144.220, starting at 7pm. He calls it the Q5 net, and he looks around with his yagi. John’s also eager to hear from new stations on his net.
Another Thursday option is newer. K9ZF Dan has started a popular net from his location just NE of Louisville, KY. He’s in EM79, SE Indiana. Always looking for new check-ins. Dan’s net starts up at 7:30pm, central time on 144.250.
Then there’s my FM simplex net on 146.43, at 8:30pm central time.
If anyone knows of any other nets I’m overlooking, please fill me in with the details and I’ll post them here. As always, my goal is to increase VHF/UHF activity everywhere. I would list repeater nets, but there would be too many to include and I don’t want anyone to feel slighted. Of course, the focus here is to try out your station without the aid of a repeater. Nothing wrong with repeaters, no, no, no. But when you’re ready to look beyond the repeater, that’s when you’ll get the most out of VHF/UHF weak-signal operation.