KC9BQA

8:45am

Before I get to the net reports, it is Wednesday and that means the 144.240 net is ON tonight at the usual start time of 8pm central/9pm eastern.  Most of you know all the details by now, but for anyone new, here’s what you need to know.

WB9LYH expects to be around in April and he will call the 144.240 Wed. net at the usual start time of 8pm central/9pm eastern.  Eastern time zone is targeted first.  WB9LYH’s QTH is EN54cl, central WI, near WI Rapids.  Mark has a big signal and enjoys pushing the propagation limits.  Always let stations in DX territory know that EN54 is on the air on Wed. nights.
The net is informal and the purpose is to increase activity on 2 meter SSB.  All licensed amateurs are welcome.  We always ask that you help spread the word about this net or anything that’s happening on VHF and UHF.
Net control’s antenna pattern from EN54cl is to start out looking E, then SE, S, SW, W, NW and N at the end.  During nets, WB9LYH is also available at the real-time ham chat at www.on4kst.com.  Talking specifically about the IARU Region 2 Chat for 144-432 MHz.  If you need more info about how to register for this free, no-obligation and no-BS chat, go here:  http://kc9bqa.com/?p=1072

On March 15, WB9LYH had 13 check-ins to the 144.240 net.  Mark reported signals were up and down, same as the rest of the winter.   Mark added, “Signal strength on average has been less than previous years.  Perhaps sunspots, or lack thereof, have something to do with this, even at VHF?”
The 13 check-ins were:  WA9JML EN51;  W8SOL EN71;  KD9BGY, K9CCL, N9KKF, W9SUS and K9ILU EN61;  W9UIJ EN52;  N9RXM EN41;  W1JWS EN50;  WA9BNZ and WB0SWQ EN40 and WB9TFH EN53.
Last Wed., March 22, WB9LYH reported that propagation was better.  The 12 check-ins were:  WB8LNG EM79;  WA9JML EN51;  KC9RAP EN63;  KD9BGY, K9ILU and N9KKF EN61;  N9EM and KC9ZVZ EN53;  WA9BNZ, W9BBP and WB0SWQ EN40 and N9RXM EN41.
Pleased to report that KC9ZVZ is a new all-time check-in.  Thanks for stopping by and glad you are on 2 meter SSB.

9:45am Thur.

Since it is Thursday, want to give a plug for a good net that’s on tonight and every Thursday.

For many years now, N9JBW in EN61, south side of Chicago has been calling a friendly net on Thursdays on 144.220MHz.  It’s called the Q5 net and they get out a long ways.  Under flat conditions, they can get check-ins from IL, IA, (eastern) MN, WI, MI, IN, OH, VE-3, MO and at least far eastern KS.  Probably KY and TN, too, if anyone down there looks north.

Many of the Q5 net regulars also check-in to our 144.240 Wed. net.  We appreciate this and wish their net well.

The Q5 net on 144.220 has earlybird check-ins at 6:30pm every Thursday and the regular net starts at 7pm.   As net control N9JBW John likes to say, “Check it out!”

9:15am Thur.

I’m amazed there was any net at all last night, on account of the high winds.  I know it was quieting down a little by evening, but SE WI had widespread gusts to 50-60mph in the late morning and afternoon.   When I was still on the air, I had multiple long yagis up 110′ in a big box configuration and once the winds got over 30mph, the rotors really didn’t work very well.  So I think 11 check-ins last night is very impressive.
I’m behind again, so let’s get caught up.
Back on February 15, N9XKH on the WI/ILL state line (EN52il) filled in as net control.  I heard Dennis had 12 or 13 check-ins and he was very happy with the turnout.  Thanks Dennis for keeping the net going.
On Feb. 22nd, regular net control WB9LYH was back and Mark reported “the usual up and down propagation”  There were 15 check-ins:  WB8LNG EM79;  K9ILU, K9CCL and N9KKF EN61;  KC9RAP EN63;  AB9QH EN62;  WA9JML EN51;  W9CL and W9UIJ EN52;  W8SOL EN71;  N9RXM EN41;  WA9BNZ, W9BBP and WB0SWQ EN40 and W1JWS EN50.
On March 1st, WB9LYH had 13 check-ins:   AB9QH and KC9VHD EN62;  N9IYV, K9ILU and N9KKF EN61;  WA9JML EN51;  WJ8L EN72;  W9UIJ EN52;  WA9BNZ, W9BBP and WB0SWQ EN40;  N9RXM EN41 and KG0SJ EN22.
Last night, as mentioned above, WB9LYH had 11 check-ins.  Mark said, “Well the antennas are still there.  We had an abbreviated net.  The winds were still blowing.  Propagation has been rapidly up and down all winter and shorter to the east than a few years ago.”  (KC9BQA adds that we’ve had less check-ins from MI and OH, if anyone can help spread the word in that direction — Indiana too — we’d be grateful)
The check-ins last night were:  KC9RAP EN63;  N9YK EN71;  WA9JML EN51;  K9CCL, KD9BGY, N9KKF and N9JBW EN61;  WB8LNG EM79;  N9RXM EN41;  WA9BNZ EN40 and KB9MIV EM59.

OK, caught up on net reports.  WB9LYH expects to be around in March and he will call the 144.240 Wed. net at the usual start time of 8pm central/9pm eastern.  Eastern time zone is targeted first.  WB9LYH’s QTH is EN54cl, central WI, near WI Rapids.  He has a big signal and enjoys pushing the propagation limits.  Always let stations in DX territory know that EN54 is on the air on Wed. nights.
Mark’s antenna pattern from EN54cl is to start out looking E, then SE, S, SW, W, NW and N at the end.  During nets, he is also available at the real-time ham chat at www.on4kst.com.  Talking specifically about the IARU Region 2 Chat for 144-432 MHz.  If you need more info about how to register for this free, no-obligation and no-BS chat, go here:  http://kc9bqa.com/?p=1072