[Fourlanders] September contest planning

[Bob Lear]

It's probably not too early to start making our plans for the September 
contest.  We do have confirmed reservations for the campground and we 
really need to make it this time as I think our reservation credibility 
will suffer if we have to cancel another one!  You may remember that I 
noted in the June contest summary that we had actually done the last 
THREE years June contests at my QTH rather than on the mountain.

First, a couple of questions that I need answered:  1.  I was talking 
with someone during the contest about milling machines and I can't 
remember whether someone knew of one available or what. If your memory 
is better than mine (and I'm pulling for you!) then please remind and 
update me on that.  2.  Someone showed interest in the large NiCad 
batteries that were donated to us.  They are available so if it was you, 
get back in touch.  Note these are 1.2V, 170 AMP hour cells about 10 
pounds each and there are 38 total in banks of 3 and 4.  No charger and 
they would need a substantial charger.  3.  I think someone borrowed my 
red dishwashing pan that I use for sorting nuts and bolts.  I'd like it 
back.

Now to the contest.  Excellent news:  Ryan KK4OSG who came to visit 
during the January contest and has been having fun and great success in 
the FM only operator category has offered to come with us for the 
September contest.  He has been very effective at publicizing the 
contests, getting folks on and making Q's with him on 6 thru 440 FM.  
Many of you have seen my analysis of comparison of his logs with ours 
and he's working folks (and grids) that we are missing.  There were 
really not many common call signs that we worked and it would have made 
a significant score increase for us to have also worked those FM folks.  
I think we should probably put together a three or four band FM station 
and antennas for the contest.  It will surely be different from the 
mountain location as we won't nearly be as close to a major population 
area but it appears that there are many stations that will come out on 
FM with appropriate publicity.  Any and all input on this welcome.  Let 
me know and I'll sort through comments.  I'm hoping that Ryan will in 
fact help us with his experience with publicity but it will now be for a 
different area.   Suggestions for radios, antennas, coordination with 
the SSB/CW stations to prevent concurrent operation on a band, etc. are 
requested.  Ryan has equipment and antennas that he has used but I know 
there is a tremendous amount of stuff available within our group too.  
Let's get this started off right away to allow time for the publicity.

I'm looking for commitments from band captains, operators and trailer 
pullers to confirm for the contest.  Let me know ASAP please.  I'm 
working on trailers and doing some antenna maintenance stuff here.  We 
will leave the W4ZST QTH on Friday morning, June 9 about 9:30 or so as 
usual and get back to my QTH about 4 PM on Monday afternoon, Sept 12th.  
I thought I'd found us a new cook, but it wouldn't fit his schedule for 
this contest so I will continue with the cooking duties.  Anyone who 
would like to be major help to me and be a co-captain for 222 with me 
would be most welcome also.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you about our contest plans, 
73, Bob