[Fourlanders] June contest update and change of plans

[w4zst at windstream.net]

After careful deliberation and consultation with several band captains, we have decided to NOT travel to the mountain-top site for the contest in June.  Some key people are not available and the trailer puller situation was marginal, so I think this is in our best interest.

It will of course mean that we won't have nearly as much work to do to get ready, as I currently have the stacked pairs of beams for all four bands in the air and operational.  In fact, all four bands are on the air, mostly with my equipment, but the 6m and 22 stations are ready to go just as used for the contests.  My 2m and 432 stations are set up right now and on the air, but if the band captains want to bring their own gear, that can be accommodated too.

The 2m and 432 omni antennas are not in the air right now, but that is a pretty quick set-up which we can easily do with a work session before the contest.  We will also use the Dell Optiplex computers that Ron has been preparing to test them out for the contest.

We had talked in the past about seeing how a contest would go from my QTH and this will be another opportunity.  We did September here a few years ago when we had a similar situation with lack of ops/pullers, but unfortunately we didn't really learn much from that one as the propagation gods did not favor us that time.  Anyway, now we'll get a chance in June.

Some good news that will perk some of you up, will be the information that Jerry W5TDY has offered to do some of the cooking for the contest.  I will take care of the rest, especially breakfasts and lunches.  We will call for a meal sign-up later on.

We will have room as usual for several operators to stay in the house and may also be able to have someone with a camper bring that for overflow.  Let me know if you would like to stay.  Even though we probably won't need too much prep time on Friday evening, those who wish to come for that night also will be able to, just let me know.

I have had all the stations on the air in the past month, mostly doing the spring sprints.  I worked from FL to OH on all four bands during the sprints, but there were no great openings that occurred.  It was a good test of the antennas and radios though and I had fun doing them.  6m was last Saturday night and even though the prop map showed good conditions, it really never opened up.  I made 20 Q's and 9 grids.  Nothing like my 190 Q's last year when we had the excellent opening.  I think the prop map was left over from Saturday afternoon when the band was open and a lot of folks took advantage of it to Europe, North Africa and South America that I heard about.

So there you have it.  We will schedule a work session sometime before the contest for the minor things that will need to be done.  Scott wants to bring his trailer and set up the 2m EME antennas as it appears that the moon looks good for the contest weekend.

Off to Dayton this week and will be continuing contest prep after we get back.

73, Bob

BTW, I have cancelled the June campground reservation  and have made the September reservation.