[Fourlanders] September Contest Summary

[Bob Lear]

The FourLanders Eating Team (and sometime contesters) did the ARRL 
September VHF QSO Party once again from Soco Bald NC, EM85jm.  I'm sure 
that everyone had a great time.

Less than desired propagation conditions, lack of activity and rain on 
Saturday affected our score for sure.  There were some openings on 6m 
that kept folks off the other bands as we have experienced in the past. 
  I expect that we will be around our usual 6th or 7th place in limited 
multi as it appeared that no part of the country had enhanced propagation.

Band Summary:
Band	Q's	Grids
6m	288	93
2m	103	45
222	19	9
432	43	19
Tot	453	291
Raw Score from logs  85,490

This is a good bit below June's nice score, but of course June typically 
always has better conditions.  It is better than the exceptionally low 
score last September from my QTH and we have had similar scores from 
Soco Bald in past Septembers.

Food Summary:  This time we had Jeff doing most of the cooking, but he 
was spelled by Jerry W5TDY for our Saturday evening dinner and Dean K2JB 
for Sunday evening dinner.  We are sure that Jeff appreciated the break 
from having to do all the cooking and the group certainly enjoyed all 
the meals.  Thanks to our trio of cooks for this contest.  There was no 
way anyone could have been hungry, even at 'next' mealtime!!

Friday Dinner - MeatLoaf a la Jeff & German Potato Salad, Outstanding!
Saturday Breakfast - Scrambled eggs, ham, onions, peppers, hash browns
Saturday Lunch - Ham and Turkey sandwiches, chips and slaw.
Saturday Dinner - Another treat here - Jerry W5TDY again brought smoked 
Texas Style Brisket and Sausage and Potato Salad too.  He also brought 
Buffalo-Turds, which are Jalopena's stuffed with Cream Cheese and 
wrapped with Bacon and then smoked in the smoker.  Jerry was apparently 
trying to do us in for sure, as he also brought a peach cobbler cooked 
in a Dutch Oven.  Jeff also had Slaw to go along with dinner and we 
certainly enjoyed it all and left little evidence.  Thanks again to 
Jerry for his excellent effort for us.
Sunday Breakfast - French Toast and Sausage
Sunday Lunch - BBQ Sandwiches, tater chips slaw and potato salad.
Sunday Dinner - Yet another great treat.  Dean K2JB cooked for us again 
and this time cooked excellent Chicken Pot Pie and Cherry Crisp in the 
Dutch Ovens.  Only complaints I heard was that everyone ate too much!! 
Thanks again to Dean for the great meal.  (And especially his wife who 
he confessed actually put together the Pot Pie mixture!!)
Monday Breakfast - Assorted Bacon/Sausage, Egg and Cheese Biscuits and 
Croissants.

Operator Summary:  W4KXY, NN4W, K4TJD, N4NIA, WW8RR, KI4US, W4ZST, 
WG8S, W5TDY, W4SKI, K4VJM, W0ONR, K5SFE, K4RBM, K2JB, WE8W, and W4SDR. 
K5FSE Jack's wife Charlotte and W4SDR Tom's daughter Audrey rounded out 
the group this year.  Thanks to all who hauled trailers, brought 
stations, operated, helped with set-up and take-down and otherwise 
participated.

Cost Summary:   Shared Fuel & Full time camping costs were $51 as the
		cost of the camping spaces has gone up this year.
		Full time 8 meals were $32.  others pro-rated.
		Sure couldn't eat elsewhere for that (or as good!)
		
We were on site earlier than usual and really didn't have any problems 
getting all the antennas set up before supper and all the stations were 
up and on the air before bedtime like we usually do.  No real problems 
this time other than high SWR on the 6m omni's during the rain. Monday 
morning take down went very quick and we were out of the campground in 
record time.  The campground also let us make next years reservations.

Thanks to all who came and helped with workdays before the contest to
get everything ready and packed in Great White and the other antennas 
down and loaded.

Special thanks to Mac K4RBM for signing up to go with us and pull Great 
White in Brian's absence.  Brian didn't get to come with Jerry for a 
short visit either, but hopefully he'll be back on track next year.

73 and thanks again for the good contest turnout.

Bob W4ZST