[VHFcontesting] Updated W0IS and KC0OIA Rover Plans

[Richard Clem]

Due to my needing to be back home somewhat earlier than expected, we might be
updating our rover plans.  Basically, our Saturday operations will be the same
as previously posted.  We'll start out near St. Cloud, MN, head through
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Madison, and Milwaukee, WI, on Saturday, and then head
toward the Chicago area, where we will start out Sunday.

Originally, we planned to head west through the Quad Cities and Des Moines
before heading home.  Now, we might head directly back to the Twin Cities via
I-90 and I-94.

Depending on how far behind we fall and how energetic we feel, we might still
stick with the original plan.  However, it is likely that we will NOT be
activating EN41, EN31, EN21, EN32, and EN33.

If we go with the new plan, our Sunday will begin in EN62 overlooking Lake
Michigan.  Then, we will activate EN61 and EN51.  Then, we will head home
through EN52 (around noon CDT), EN53 (around 2:00), EN43 (around 3:00) a
possible detour into EN54??, EN44 (around 5:00), EN34 (around 7:00).

For the sake of completeness, our original plans are posted below.  Again, the
Saturday and Sunday morning plans are the same either way.  Everything after
10:30 Sunday is subject to change.

Here are the rover plans for W0IS and KC0OIA in the June VHF contest.  Since
we will be operating as a family station, you can work either or both of us
for contest credit.  

As you can see below, we will be starting the contest near St. Cloud, MN.  We
will be in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area on Saturday afternoon, and in Madison
and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Saturday evening.  

Sunday, we will start in the Chicago area, and will make our main effort to
work across Lake Michigan into Michigan and Indiana on Sunday morning.  Sunday
afternoon and evening, we'll be heading through the Quad Cities and Des
Moines, Iowa, and then back north into Southern Minnesota.  Here's the full
schedule (subject to delays, of course):

		Saturday

1:00 Begin contest in EN25 near St. Cloud, MN

1:30 Enter EN35, eastbound on I-94 and I-694

2:45 Enter EN34, then continue eastbound on I-94 toward Wisconsin.  Most of
our EN34 activity will be along 694 and 94.

4:15 Enter EN44, continue eastbound through Eau Claire

4:45 Spur North into EN45, then return to freeway and continue East

6:00 Enter EN43.  Continue eastbound on I-90/94

6:30 Enter EN53.  Continue eastbound on I-90/94

7:30 Madison, WI, area.  If activity warrants, we'll possibly continue to
south of Madison in EN52.  If there is little activity around Madison, we'll
wait to activate EN52 until we get to Milwaukee and Chicago.

8:00 re-enter EN53, then eastbound on I-94 toward Milwaukee

9:00 Enter Milwaukee area.  Head for four corners of EN52, EN53, EN62, EN63

10:30  In EN62, start south on I-94 to Chicago.  Overnight between Milwaukee
and Chicago

		Sunday 

9:00 AM  Willow Hill Golf Course in EN62.  Best opportunity to work across
Lake Michigan

10:30  Thru Chicago area.  First spur West into EN52.  Then briefly back into
EN62 en route to EN61 and EN51.

12:15  In EN51.  Head out of Chicago area, westbound on I-88 toward Quad
Cities.

3:00 Enter EN41, pass through Quad Cities, join westbound I-80

4:15 Enter EN 31, continue westbound on I-80

5:00 Enter Des Moines area.  Continue westbound on I-80 into EN21

6:00  Backtrack to Des Moines, re-enter EN31.  Then northbound on I-35.

7:00  Enter EN32, continue northbound on I-35 through Ames

8:00  Enter EN33, continue northbound on I-35 through Mason City

9:00  Re-enter EN34, continue northbound on I-35 through Owatonna.  Possibly
enter Twin Cities area before end of contest.

10:00 Contest ends.


CW/SSB:  We will be up 30 kHz from the calling frequencies:  144.230, 50.155,
432.130.  We will concentrate on calling CQ on these frequencies at :00, :15,
:30, and :45 past the hour (starting on 2 meters, then 6, then 432).  

Away from populated areas, most of our CQ's will probably be using CW.  If you
hear CW on those frequencies, it will probably be us calling CQ DE W0IS/R ENxx
K.  Even if your CW is a bit rusty, feel free to call us back.  We will be QRP
with fixed antennas, so chances are we will be able to hear you better than
you can hear us, and we can probably copy you just fine on SSB.  If you repeat
our exchange (and give yours, of course) correctly, we will reply back with an
enthusiastic string of RRRRRRR.  Then, KC0OIA will call you and repeat the
process.  The RIT on our rig is a bit of a hassle to use, so don't be
surprised if we QSY slightly when we come back to you.  We should, however, be
well within your passband.  Of course, also feel free to call us with CW, at
whatever speed is comfortable for you.

We will be running 5 watts from an FT-817 into dipoles fixed about 10 feet
above ground level.  We made a number of 100+ mile QSO's on 2 meters in
January, and expect to make many more this time on both six and two.  Our
signal on 432 is more problematic, but we should be able to easily work you
within 25 miles.  

We will also monitor the calling frequencies, as well as FM on 52.525 (with
horizontal antenna) 446.0 (horizontal antenna), and 146.55 (high power,
vertical antenna).  Thanks to the generous loan of a 220 FM handheld from
Brent, KD5EMB, we will also be looking for nearby QSO's on 223.5.  On 220, we
will be running about 1.5 watts into a quarter-wave mag mount, so our main
goal is simply to activate as many grids as possible on that band.

We'll be posting any last-minute updates to the NLRS reflector.  Also, if
possible, we'll try out the station this Sunday evening on the NLRS nets.

73,
Rick W0IS
Yippy KC0OIA