[Fourlanders] September Contest - MAJOR Revision

[Bob Lear]

Because of some more conflicts and problems, and after consultation with 
several other members, it has now been decided that we need to cancel 
the trip to Mile High and instead do the contest at my W4ZST QTH, like 
we do for the CQWWVHF and VHF Sweepstakes.

I talked to the campground today and the manager said that he wasn't 
allowed to give any deposit refund, but I will call Glenn himself about 
it.  Worst case, we just collect for the $140 deposit from the group.

Now on to the advantages to doing this contest here:

1.  We had talked in the past and wondered how good we could do from my 
QTH and now we'll get to find out.

2.  The folks who had issues with their availability for the entire 
contest will now not have a problem, and this will maximize time 
available for other who were in a quandry.

3.  We will be able to set up ahead of time.  In fact, the 6m beams and 
omni's are still up and the 6m station is set up and ready as I have 
been testing it.  BTW, we will try out Scott's Icom 756 ProII for the 6m 
rig with my Commander amp this time.  We had talked about trying the 
Icom for some time and this will be a chance to do it.

4.  We will be able to set up the 2m EME beams again also as there are 
no problems with getting enough towers and trailers available here.  The 
moon will be good for the contest so we should do well with the 2m EME 
again.

5.  We will be able to do full multi-op with microwave.  We had earlier 
dropped microwave when I had to pick up 6m band captain duties and we 
would have been short a tower trailer anyway.  Now we'll be able to do 
this and I am working on the station already since 6m is in pretty good 
shape.

6.  We should definitely set a new division record for Southeastern 
division as it is not that high for unlimited multi.

7.  Jeff will still do the cooking.  I talked to him this past weekend 
and he is ready.

8.  There will be ample space for folks to stay Saturday night for the 
contest.  Just like we have done in January and July.  I expect Tom will 
bring his camper too and we'll make a great weekend of it.

9.  If I'm home I won't be able to forget anything and leave it behind. 
  Seriously though, doing the contest here is probably less total work 
for me anyway.

So, there you have it.  We are planning a work session this weekend to 
get some more antennas and trailers set up as we'll all be at Shelby for 
the labor day weekend and this way it won't be a last minute thing for 
the Friday of the contest or that Saturday morning.  Band captains can 
bring their gear this weekend or anytime before the contest that suits 
them.  The shack is ready.

I'll send the work session time out after I hear from some folks as to 
their preference for Saturday or Sunday this weekend.

I hope everyone will be still be looking forward to the contest and 
operating here.  It just won't be as much work and we won't have to 
drive so far.  I think it will be quite interesting to see what we can 
do here for the fall contest.

Bob