The Febuary 25, 2008 net

This week we has some good discussion on recent six meter propagation as the band had a very strong opening just prior to the net. Kevin, WBØOSP introduced some to vhfdx.net where you can see propagation paths on VHF as they are reported on the DX cluster. Several commented that this was a very useful site. Brandon, KCØUAX commented that he did not hear any skip on FM this evening. Kevin, WBØOSP noted that he was hearing skip on 52.525 up until just a few minutes prior to the net. SAP, WAØSAP was a little scratchy into the repeater, and when looking out his window figured out why. His portable beam had fallen over and was laying on the ground! Oh, well... it still worked. Dave, KE7ABH checked in via phone patch with the help of Dave, WBØQIR. So far they've checked in via two meter to six meter cross-band, EchoLink and phone patch. What will they think of next?

As we always do, here's the list for this week's net.

KCØTQD - James, Springfield
WBØOSP - Kevin, Rogersville
KCØTCF - Bill, Bois 'D Arc
KQØQ - Lance, Springfield
NØIRN - Gary, Springfield
WBØQIR - David Springfield
WAØSAP - Dave, Nixa
ACØHA - Cecil, Forsythe (mobile)
KCØUAX - Brandon, Nixa (mobile)
KE7ABH - David, Springfield (phone patch via WBØQIR)
KØAWD - Alan, Springfield (better late than never!)

Thanks and 73 to the fine individuals that check into this net!

Jeff / KCØVGC

Life on Six Meters

So many times I hear folks say that there is nothing on six meters. Yesterday afternoon (2/23) I had a chance to work some real ground wave on 50.125 USB. I worked NØBZM in Stockton, MO followed by KG5MD in Midway, AR. Then I caught NØKO in Vanzant, MO, KØVUW in Barnhart, MO (near St. Louis) and KØCIY in Parkhill, OK (NE of Muskogee). It was all ground wave (no e-skip). Just goes to show that 6m with a modest setup will do the job. Most of these folks were running setups similar to mine. The one exception was KØVUW. He was running 1500W into a six element beam at 100 feet, but again that was the exception. This afternoon was some of the most enjoyable I have had on ham radio. What a treat it was to chat with folks around the area on 6m. So, for those that wonder if there is life on six or if there is anyone out there, there is.

Jeff / KCØVGC

Another Snowy Net in the Ozarks

Once again we were blanketed by a light layer of snow as the shacks were intermittently lit by the light of the 6 meter rigs and randomly blinking lightbulbs. We had some very good information on nice quiet band conditions of 75 and 40 meters from SAP and VGC. Jeff was having great success on 40M PSK31.

Hopefully we will all weather the forthcoming winter weather approaching as well as the Sap-A-Loop antenna will. We had a good time visiting with the net regulars as well as some new additions to the bunch. It is always good to have a chance to visit and just see what is going on with everyone. With that, I hope everyone has a great week ahead and I am already looking forward to next Monday night!

Acknowledgements to our group this week:

Gary, NØIRN
Bill, KCØTCF
Alan, KØAWD
Jeff, KCØVGC
Travis, KDØCRD
Jeannine, N5SPX
David, WBØQIR
Doug, KØDPS
Dave, WAØSAP
Cecil, ACØHA
Mike, KC5MNP

73 All,

James
KCØTQD

Laden with ice, but the net was still warm....

In the midst of the worst winter storm this year, we had a fun bunch join us on a much more informal net. Several reports of ice greater than one inch thick from some of the reports.

Bob, WBØRJR talked about operating on the 60m band and the good contact he's made there. John, KBØOU also commented on his 60m operation. Rich, KB9YZE informed us that that about noon today, the lines holding up both of his wire antennas broke and they were laying on the ground. I'm sure he's not the only one that's going to be doing some repair work once the weather improves.

KBØOU John, Joplin
NØIRN Gary, Walnut Grove mobile
KCØIYI Jim, Nixa
KCØTQD James, Springfield
KC5MNP Mike, Walnut Grove
KCØUAX Brandon, Nixa mobile
KBØNHX James, Lees' Summit though the 2m link
WBØRJR Bob, Everton
KB9YZE Rich, Nixa

Thanks to everyone!

Jeff / KCØVGC

Good net!

Great net last night. Thanks to all who checked in and offered information in some form or another on our topics last night. Our list of contributing hams is as follows:

1. WBØQIR - David, Springfield
2. N5SPX - Jeannine, Springfield
3. NØIRN - Gary, Battlefield
4. KØAWD - Alan, Springfield
5. KCØQJH - Tom, Strafford
6. KQØQ - Lance, Springfield
7. WAØSAP - Dave, Nixa
8. KCØVGC - Jeff, Springfield
9. ACØHA - Cecil, Forsyth
10. KØDPS - Doug, Ozark
11. KC5MNP - Mike, Walnut Grove
12. W8KIR - Bill, Ozark

Thanks as always for your time in joining the net. Announcements were - Titanic Special Event Station - wØs.org - takes place April 12th and 13th and they are looking for some volunteer operators and/or loggers for this exciting event. The SMARC 444.40 repeater is being linked to a network of UHF repeaters in AR, TX and OK (no longer crossband to the 146.91); thanks to Bill W8KIR for this information. Also, Al Gallo is looking for signal reports on the 28.2828 10 Meter CW beacon.

73,

James
KCØTQD

Just another 70 degree day....in February?

Well, let's hope we don't have the same situation we had last month when we had a 70 degree day on a Monday. Look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments on the net tonight. Let us know if you have had any good 6 meter DX lately!

73,

James
KCØTQD