[Fourlanders] June Contest Plans

Tue May 6 03:36:22 EDT 2003

Thanks Bob for jumping in and kicking everyone in the butt.  Remember I
agreed to be president if I didn't have to do much.  I posted my 432 plans a
few
weeks ago and don't feel like doing it again but suffice it to say I have
everything I need except big iron and I will pick that up from K5AND this
weekend.  I will integrate the station and do some on the air testing over
the next two or three weeks then pack it up.  I don't think the operator
situation on 432 and microwaves is a problem.  These are not exactly "high
rate" bands so if we put them together I think Bob and I can
cover them OK.  I think we
have 6 covered with K5AND and K4EA.  For 2 meters and 222 MHz I believe we
have KB4IDC, NX9O and W4RLW as the ops there.  If we put 2 meters and 222
together then that will keep someone on those radios all the time.  Bottom
line is I am not as pessimistic as Bob is with regards to operators.  One or
two more would be nice.  Any more than that and I am not sure what they
would do.  Now let me tell you what I am worried about.  All these trailers
we have available now!  Remember guys the top is not all that big.  I have
heard that Brian's trailer is big enough for a family of four to live in.  I
agree with Bob that
someone who is familiar with all this stuff needs to do a layout before we
leave otherwise we may end up with more stuff up there than we need and no
place to put it.  I am not the person to do that since I don't know what
half this stuff even looks like.  A volunteer to work out the placement of
all the trailers, towers, etc. on the mountain top would be appreciated.  As
far as food is concerned I would rather spend a few more bucks and have good
eats than cheap out and eat crackers and chips all weekend.  There was some
comment that food was expensive last time.  If I remember correctly it was
around $40 a head.  I easily spend that much when I bring my own food to the
mountain and I have to prepare it!  What we do need is for Paul to get a
head count and begin putting a menu and cost estimate together so everyone
will know what to expect up front.  Paul, if you are on the reflector here
are the people that I know are participating: K4EA, K5AND, KB4IDC, NX9O,
W4RLW, W4KXY, K4SZ and of course W4SKI.  If there is anyone I left off the
list speak now or go hungry.  We will be arriving Friday around 1.  We
usually have lunch in Cherokee before we drive to the mountain top so I
would start with dinner Friday night maybe an afternoon snack.  Three meals
Saturday and Sunday followed by two meals Monday.  Looks like a total of
nine meals.  Three breakfast, three lunches and three dinners if I am
counting correctly.  Take a look at that Paul and let us know how that is
going to work out.  That is all I have for now.

73
Jim W4KXY

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Lear" <k4sz at alltel.net>
To: <fourlanders at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 9:48 PM
Subject: [Fourlanders] June Contest Plans

> Gentlemen,
>
> After careful review of the bylaws and constitution of the FourLanders
> VHF Contest Team and consultation with high-powered attorneys, it has
> been determined that the Vice Presidents function IS to yell and scream
> and send nasty-gram e-mails to all the membership in the annual effort
> to pry everyones contest plans out into the open.  You are now on notice
> that if plans are not immediately forthcoming you will be on the
> receiving end of the VP's required missives which according to the
> by-laws may include insults and threats of physical violence!!
>
> In case you haven't actually checked a calendar we have only Five and
> half weeks until contest day.  It is sneaking up quickly.  I for one am
> pretty much working constantly to get the microwave station together and
> finish tower trailer number Three.  I still think I can do it.
>
> The microwave station will be: 903 (45W), 33 el looper;  1296 (30W)
> stacked 45 el loopers;  2304 (15W) 76 el looper; 3456 (40?W) 76 el
> looper.  I will have this set up with preamps for each band and two IF
> rigs to handle it, probably an 897 and 817 and probably one computer.
> Steve is loaning us a dual band feed and dish with transverters for 5
> and 10 GHz that we will set up on a tripod and try to make Q's on those
> bands if we have the chance.  I do not really have a second op for
> microwave, but that may be OK.
>
> 432:  Jim has posted once on the plans for this station, but I'll let
> him do it again.  Things are apparently OK here too as far as equipment
> is concerned and the stacked pair of FO25's.  No second OP has been
> identified here either.  The microwave and 432 stations will use the two
> towers on the new double tower trailer #3.
>
> 222:  Brian can post his plans, but he will have a new BIG amp for 222
> and gear wise we're OK here too.  He may use my 222 transverter.  The
> 222 station will use only one KLM yagi for the contest and will use the
> new #2 tower trailer that was at the conference for all to see.  Brian
> also doesn't have a second op yet.
>
> 2m and 6m:  we've heard some partial plans.  We'd like to hear the
> definitive now.  Does any equipment need to be borrowed?  You need to
> let the group know what you need if anything so we can make plans too.
> The original (#1) tower trailer is available for one of these two
> bands.  We'd love to see another crank-up mast or tower available so
> that we don't have to work too hard up there or do anything remotely
> dangerous.
>
> Don't forget:  Rigs, amps, feedlines, antennas, rotors, operating
> location, computer needed?, etc. etc. for all bands.  Be sure to let us
> know what fourlanders equipment you need to borrow that is stored at
> Neals now so it can get into one of the trailers and make its way to
> Cherokee.  If anyone needs the list for their planning, let me know and
> I'll send you what I think we have there.
>
> Paul....  We talked at the meeting about the possible use of your clubs
> tower van.  Saw the pictures and I think it would be great for us and
> would take care of the last needed tower with an easy up installation!!
> We need to know for sure if you can get it, can get it up to the
> mountain somehow, and how much space is available inside, although it
> really sounds like we won't operate inside it anyway.  We are now
> trailer rich where we once were poor.  We are still operator and driver
> poor too.  There will be four trailers convoying up from my house and
> that will be four vehicles pulling, each with only a driver.
>
> BTW, Brian has a new 8 X 20 cargo trailer like Robins (but BIGGER) that
> will handle several operating positions.  We need to decide how to
> divide the stations most effectively between  Brians and Robins trailers
> and where they should be located.  Some of us talked in Huntsville and
> tried some possible parking layouts for the mountain-top.  There are
> many possibilities.  Let's hear your ideas.  You may have the ultimate
> solution and not even know it yet.  Do a sketch, scan it and send out
> for us to peruse.  Everyone knows pretty well how the top is laid out.
>
> Finally for now:  FOOD.  There was some discussion at the meeting about
> trying to make the total cost a little less and We think that will be
> the case since we bought more initial supplies last year according to
> Paul.  Any preferences need to be put out now so Paul can do some
> planning.  I will also post my famous recipes real soon, so you can make
> your requests.
>
> I've probably forgotten something and alienated everyone, but someones
> got to kick-start this operation.  Lets hear those plans soon.
>
> 73 bob
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