[WARC] 144.240 SSB net *ON* tonight -- 7:15pm

[Todd Sprinkmann]

    At K0NY's urging, I am including your club on my 
net mailing lists.  I hope to hear Clare and anyone else 
check in when you are able.  There is new activity from 
the La Crosse area so we have a great start.  

   This net should be interesting tonight...

   Game-time temp is progged to be somewhere around
-8F, and there should be a 10-20 mph wind.  I've never
tried to really op during that sort of weather.  I have heat
out in the shed, no that's no issue.

    It's more a matter of what rotors will turn, and what
the noise level to my SW will be like.  Whatever the case,
we're going to try it out.

    If there are complications, I will advise via this link:
   http://dxworld.com/vhfqso.html   We should get used
to using this anyway.  It's the easiest way to chit-chat or
wave your hands for attention while a net is in progress.

    If you have an actual contact to report (either during
the net, afterwards with others or at any time on 2 meters)
then use this page instead:
    http://dxworld.com/144prop.html

     Not sure how many folks are aware of those 144 
propagation logger pages, but they are somewhat useful.  

    I try to check both those pages frequently while I'm
out in the shed, playing radio with you everyone.


    For WARC members, know that the regular start time 
for the 144.240 net is 7:30pm.  But since we've developed 
the La Crosse hotspot, I try to look that way between 
7:15-7:30pm.  Sort of a pre check-in.  No big deal, I just 
try to give them a little extra time.  I can do the same for 
you Winona guys at that time, unless I'm just swamped.  
If I sound like I have no takers, absolutely feel free to say 
hello.  Nothing worse than dead air.  :)   

    In any event, I also look toward La Crosse and Winona 
roughly about 7:40-50pm during the regular portion of the 
net.  Overall, my territory with this net is W IL, MO, IA, 
MN and all of WI except Milwaukee and Chicago areas.  
They have their own net on 144.250 at 8:30pm.  You 
folks are also welcome to listen along or check-in there 
as well.  I look west/northwest at about 8:40-45 with 
the 144.250 net.  

    Listen along and see what you hear.  If you want to, 
check-in and say hello.  The purpose of this net is to stir up 
activity on less-used bands.  It's also a good opportunity to 
see what your station is capable of.  

     FYI, my location is 40 miles north of Milwaukee in far 
southern Sheboygan county.  I'm at 1000' ASL, and in 
the clear -- good radio QTH here.  On 144 SSB, I have a 
pair of 12 el beams (K1FO design) up at 105/115'.  90 
watts out and I do pretty well.  Stacked beams on 144 thru 
1296 here, and single beams for 6 and 2304 Mhz.  

     Any questions, direct email works best.
     73, stay warm,
     Todd   KC9BQA   EN63ao    40 N of Milwaukee
     50 thru 2304