Bob,

Count me as the 6m band captain and a trailer puller. As far as 222 goes I can help with that. There are lots of 6m ops and the station goes together very quickly. And, yes, I am in favor of a more robust FM effort. At least some of the success of late on 222 has been related to trips to the FM side of the band. I would favor FM on 222 at some regular interval like the top and bottom of the hour. If there are Q's to be had, work them and then go back to CQing on SSB/CW.

I would still like to try 6m EME at moonrise unless 6 is just really smokin' I could be convinced other wise but if things are slow it is a new adventure to be had to fill the time.

John

-----Original Message-----
>From: Bob Lear
>Sent: Jul 18, 2016 4:08 PM
>To: FourLanders Contest Team
>Subject: [Fourlanders] September contest planning
>
>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
>
>
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