[Fourlanders] January Contest Kickoff

[Kos]

I will plan on being there with the 2M station. I have integrated the FT-991 with the new computer and it is working well. A bit of background hum from the computer, but I am working on that. Working on the WSJT-X today as well, upgraded from the v1.8.0 candidate release to the regular v1.8.0. 
I will be unavailable the weekend before to work on antennas, etc., but will be able to come up a couple weeks ahead and setup, and leave the equipment in place until the contest. 

I'm open to making a run into Dahlonega for BBQ or something else Saturday night, or we can grill steaks, burgers, brats, etc. Doesn't need to be fancy unless someone is motivated to step up. Pizza for Sunday night is fine, especially if the crew things out like it tends to do.

Kos

-----Original Message-----
From: Fourlanders [mailto:fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob Lear
Sent: Sunday, November 19, 2017 6:25 PM
To: FourLanders Contest Team <fourlanders at contesting.com>; Rick Woodard <hollowforge at gmail.com>
Subject: [Fourlanders] January Contest Kickoff

The ARRL VHF Contest is coming up January 20 - 22, 2018.   2PM Satuday until 11PM Sunday night.

I plan on hosting the contest here at the W4ZST shack as usual. From recent contacts it looks like the usual band captains are planning to set up their stations again.  I have recently found out about some significant health problems which will impact my usual ability to do as much set-up as I have done in the past.

I really need to take it easy on my back with degenerative discs and am now in physical therapy to help with the pain and put off surgery that seems inevitable.  Also I have been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm which will also end up needing surgery.  The AAA was discovered when I had the MRI on my back.  Typically, that's how most of them are actually found.  Not emergency now but will need to be done sometime. I've been to the specialists already.

So we will have the band captains who will bring and set up the stations and usually don't need my help with that, but the contest antennas are not put up here and that will have to be done.   I can drive my  tractor or truck and move the trailers as needed but will need help with hooking up, etc.  I had Jason who helps me around the yard and such to help me take down the 432 EME antennas last week and put up the 222 antennas for the contest as we usually do.  The other bands will need to be done and I expect folks to set up workdays for those and get them put up.  I'm still around every day and weekend so whenever workdays can be scheduled for at least a couple of you to come at a time and put up antennas will be good. We need to put up the 6, 2 and 432 stacked yagis and the omni antennas on their respective trailers.  I think the usual locations will be fine.

I will still do breakfast and lunch on Sunday for the contest unless someone wants to do that too but I'd like someone else to make plans for dinners on Saturday and Sunday evenings for the contest.  As usual, I think we should make plans to meet a Rooster's Cafe at the end of GA400 at 11:30 on Saturday for lunch as a group before the contest.

In case you didn't see it in the December QST, we made Third place nationwide in Multi-Op for the June Contest.  That's the highest we've scored for some time.  Sure won't be near that when the September results come out!!

So, let's hear some plans being made and I'll do what I can to help. Thanks and 73, Bob _______________________________________________
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