All,

I have mentioned to some of you that their was a possibility of my family and I relocating out west (Montana/Idaho) to be closer to grandchildren. That possibility is starting to look much more like a probably sometime late Spring/early Summer 2018. Currently the two formal roles I play with FourLanders are 6m Band captain and Great White hauler when we go to the mountains. I am certain I will be here for the January contest. My current plan is to run that contest using a Flex, either my 6700, or my 6600 if it arrives in time and my Maestro on 6m. Not sure if I will have my own 6m amp by then or if we will have to use Bob's again - TBD.

My ability t support the June contest is much more doubtful. I wanted to give all of you plenty of lead time to work on:

Who will assume the role of 6m Band Captain?
Who will pull Great White? This is probably the more difficult question as there are plenty of radios around but a real shortage of 3/4 ton trucks withe electric brake controllers.

If I am around I will support the June contest. Problem is I cannot promise that I will be around and available in June of 2018.

I have enjoyed my time with the FourLanders and I really would like to be able to give DN18 to W4NH during a band opening or via EME. This is not a definite yet but a change from possible to probable. It is going to take a while, especially with the Great White truck requirement, to find an alternate solution. Out of respect for FourLanders I wanted you all to have lots of time to work on all of this.

73,

John