KC9BQA

11am  Fri.

There’ve been some interesting nets and one night with two new check-ins.

Back on June 28th, 144.240 net control WB9LYH reported, “Some contacts tonite despite terrible conditions.  The storms south of us were very noisy but appeared to create some enhancement to the St. Louis area”  Check-ins were:  KC9RAP EN63;  K9ILU, K9CCL, N9JBW and N9KKF EN61;  WB8LNG EM79;  N9NAQ EN51;  WA9BNZ and W9BBP EN40; N0JA EM49 and KB9MIV EM59.

On July 5th, WB9LYH said in his emailed net report, “Good conditions tonite and the storms were localized to the SW.”  (KC9BQA adds that storms in the Upper Midwest on Wed. nights feels like a pattern that goes back several years now)  Check-ins were:  KD9BGY, K9CCL, N9IYV and N9KKF EN61;  N9NAQ EN51;  WB8LNG EM79;  W8SOL EN71;  N0JA EM49;  WA9BNZ, W9BBP and WB0SWQ EN40 and KC9WIK EN54.

On July 12th, Mark’s net report stated, “Thunderstorms all around and rain, some really enhanced prop (propagation) through all the noise.”  Mark added, “I did not make it all the way around (to the W and N, presumably) because of the weather.  Check-ins were:  N9ZWL EN62;  WA9JML EN51;  KC9RAP EN63;  K9ILU, K9CCL, KD9BGY and KC9RIO EN61;  N9RXM EN41;  WA9BNZ; WB0SWQ and W9BBP EN40;  W9JLF EN53;  WA9OEX EM59;  N9ABR EN51;  N9QH EM49 and AB9QH EN62.  17 check-ins on a night with rough weather — that’s amazing.  Thanks to everyone who got on and safely operated.
Had 2 new check-ins to the 144.240 Wed. net on July 12th.  N9QH and WA9OEX both made the trip from downstate IL.  Welcome to the net and enjoy 2 meter SSB.
*Note — Mark’s net report had “N9OH”, which comes back to a ham in SC.  I’m making an educated guess that he meant N9QH in EM49 because that’s where he was looking and others were checking in from that area.*

On July 19th, N9XKH was all set to take his turn as backup net control.  Then a squall line with damaging winds roared thru his area right at net time.  Of course — it’s Wednesday!!  So there was no net on July 19th.

2 nights ago, the 144.240 net was a fluid situation.   WB9LYH explains, “Tonite, I started the net, contacted by WB9TFH (EN53) and KC9RAP (EN63) and closed down because of very high SWR.  Apparent wind damage.  I hope to be up again by next week.  I called Dennis (N9XKH) and he will complete the net tonite.  Tnx Dennis.  I will get in contact (with me, KC9BQA) when things are repaired.”
Once again, very grateful that N9XKH can pitch in when we need a hand.  If I get an emailed net report from Dennis, I will share it here.

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.  Guys have been doing this for 50+ years on 2 meter SSB/CW, there’s no secret or mystery.   What you need is some sort of horizontally polarized antenna up in the clear, (yes a yagi is better and the longer the better, but get on with what you can) decent low-loss feedline, at least 25-50 watts out (again, more output power will help you be heard better) and the patience to listen carefully for quiet signals.

10:30am  Wed.

It will pay to be flexible with the 144.240 Wed. net tonight and next Wed.  The 144.240 net may have a guest net control tonight.  In last week’s net report, WB9LYH advised me that his schedule is uncertain for the next 2 Weds.  When Mark can’t call the net, N9XKH Dennis has helped out the past few years.
N9XKH is located on the WI/ILL state line, a little NW of Rockford.  Dennis has good yagis up high and puts out a decent signal.  What Dennis doesn’t have is a lot of time for ham radio.  So when he is able to be net control, he really appreciates a lot of check-ins.  This gives him a good idea of how well he’s getting out.
If I were trying to check-in tonight, I would look toward N9XKH and the middle of the WI/ILL state line first.   I trust that N9XKH (roughly) follows the usual rotation of looking northeast into MI first then gradually swinging E, SE, S, SW, W, NW and N to wrap up the net.

144.240 Wed. net always starts at 9pm eastern/8pm central.   All licensed amateurs are welcome.  The net is informal and the goal is to increase activity on 2m SSB.

I have three weeks of net reports to type up.  Hopefully I can get to those later today or tomorrow.