[Fourlanders] contest update

[Bob Lear]

Time for an update on the contest plans for next weekend.  Things are 
still looking good.

I have really made a lot of work for myself with rebuilding the red 
trailer but now it's done and really had to have major work before 
making the trip to the mountain.   Would have ultimately meant more work 
if I hadn't also painted it now too.  Anyway, it looks like a new 
trailer and has enough money put into it!!

A milestone to note:  This is the first time I haven't bought stuff at 
Shelby that I don't need.  Of course, staying home was to only way to 
achieve that.  Sorry I missed this year but priorities come first.

We have 14 committed for the contest.  Johnny K4SQC, 6m band captain and 
pulling Great White; Kos N4NIA, 2m band captain and pulling the 
6m/chuckwagon/222 antenna trailer; Bob W4ZST, 222 band captain and 
pulling the Radio flyer trailer with the golf cart and 6m tower; Ron 
WW8RR, 432 band captain and pulling the generator. We also have Bill 
KI4US pulling the Blackhawk 2m antenna trailer and Kim WG8S pulling 
Ron's 432 antenna trailer.  Dean K2JB and Howard W4PH will be bringing 
their small trailer for the FM station and antennas.  Other operators 
coming, some with the convoy, some meeting us there are Jim W4KXY, Jerry 
W5TDY, Jim WE8W, Paul W4SKI, Jack K5FSE and Ryan KK4OSG.  So I think we 
have a pretty good crew for the contest.

The usual plan is to meet at the W4ZST QTH on Friday morning to hook up 
the trailers with the plan to be on the road by 9:30 so plan your trip 
here accordingly.  Anyone wanting to convoy with us but not pulling a 
trailer from here, please wait for us at either Cavender Creek Baptist 
Church parking lot or at the gas station at the four way stop 
intersection where we go straight on Hwy 115E and Hwy 52E goes off to 
the right.  We will be on 146.55 simplex for the trip so go ahead and 
have that programmed in to your mobile radio.

Jerry W5TDY has volunteered to cook steaks and fixins' for us on 
Saturday night.  Dean K2JB is cooking dinner on Sunday night is his 
Dutch Ovens and I will take care of Friday night and breakfasts and 
lunches as usual.

Ron, Bill and Paul have been working on the internet connections and I 
think they've got us covered well for the contest.  The usual station 
computers and networking are all on go.

We will have the W4ZST 6m amp for that station, Jack's K5FSE 2m amp for 
that station and the usual 222 and 432 stations and the usual antennas.  
We will see what we end up with for the FM station but we have plenty of 
equipment and antennas coming for that.

I think this about covers it and looking forward to seeing all of you on 
Friday.  73 Bob