[Fourlanders] contest update

[Bob Lear]

Things are going well.  Ron came up yesterday and Matthew was here to 
help.  We got the trailer situated and the 432 quad array and the omni 
antennas up and tested.  Ron then worked on setting up his 432 station 
and did get everything going after some minor problems. Matthew helped 
with running the 6m feedline and control cables in the underground 
conduit we had put in at the end of the driveway a week or so ago.  This 
is to make sure we won't be running over the cable again.

Matthew and I also installed and tested the new 2m Beam/Omni latching 
relay at the 2m trailer that Ron obtained and built up. Now we only need 
one feed line for 2m.  We had run a 1/2" hardline and LMR-600 cables 
from inside the shack to the far end of the building along with two 
rotor cables with connectors.  Now we don't have to roll out feedline 
and rotor cables for 2m or whatever band ends up at the far end of the 
building and the cables won't be either underfoot or hanging around to 
'clothesline' the unsuspecting.  We had also run permanent cables  in 
the building for 222.

We also set up, networked and tested the contest computers and server.  
Had the gateway address problem again but got it straightened out.  
Still need to remember to change the address of the router in Great 
White so we don't have to keep running in to this.  6m and 432 computers 
working 100% in WL with CW and SSB live and recorded audio and keying.  
I"m still working on 222 but expect no problems and Kos will bring the 
2m station Friday evening and set it up.

We have 13 operators signed up now for the contest.  Only two of the ops 
aren't spending Saturday night, choosing to go home instead. Some folks 
are also coming to stay and hang out on Friday evening too.

Excellent news that I forgot to pass on earlier.  Jerry W5TDY is cooking 
our_dinner for Saturday night_ so I do need a good count for him.  I 
expect all the 13 ops to be here for that meal and if any of our 
possible visitors wish to stay for dinner on Saturday evening, you are 
certainly invited and welcome but please _let me know ASAP_ if you will 
so I can get an accurate count to Jerry.  He always cooks a lot of food 
but this group is also known for consuming 'Mass Quantities' so let me 
know and we'll have plenty of food.  Jerry will surprise us with the 
menu as he hasn't let me know what he's cooking yet but those of us 
who've had his BBQ and other goodies know that it will be great whatever 
he brings.

Also I will have breakfast Sunday morning for the overnighters and 
anyone else wanting to show up.  Pancakes and sausage and coffee. Lunch 
for everyone here on Saturday, either sandwiches or hot dogs and chips 
as I haven't decided yet.  I will also have something for Sunday evening 
dinner for those still here then.  sometimes it thins out.  OK for 
anyone to stay including visitors but again if anyone wanting to be here 
for the_Sunday meals, let me know_ also so that I can make sure have 
enough.  If the evening count is small we may just get take out Pizza 
from town.

Just for completeness the operators are:  Johnny K4SQC, Kos N4NIA, Bob 
W4ZST, Ron WW8RR, Kim WG8S, Jim W4KXY, Ivan K4VJM, Jack K5FSE, Jerry 
W5TDY, Bill KI4US, John N8UR, Matthew KM4OHR and hopefully JIm WE8W who 
is teetering right now on getting to attend.  I'm copying visitors who 
have expressed interest.

Also anyone wanting to come visit Friday evening just to hang out is 
also welcome.  Those of us here will go somewhere in town to eat supper 
and then come back to BS, have a cold one, watch Kos set up the 2m 
station, get on the air on the other stations if there is any activity 
or just for questions or show and tell.  If you want to join us before, 
for supper and later, just let me know and I"ll get you the details 
about what time and where we will go to eat.  OK to come up in the 
afternoon on Friday as I'll be here and maybe some others too.

This should be the last contest update.  Looks like good weather for the 
weekend.  Hope we have some propagation and can make some good Q's.

See you soon, 73  Bob
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