Solar Eclipse and ARRL 10 GHz and up contest

May I suggest that BARS members participate in the upcoming solar eclipse to take place on August 21, 2017.  I know that the Northern Lights group and others are planning to operate along the path of totality and I suggest that we coordinate our efforts with theirs.  However, we need to start planning for the event soon.  Let's make this a topic at our lunch gathering in June at Uncle Linnie's after the Egyptian hamfest.  I am including some pictures that I took of the initial planning while at the CSVHFS conference in Rochester, MN in July.  Also note that the first weekend of the ARRL 10 GHz and up contest is August 19 and 20th.  Three days of microwave activity!

BARS, Wine & Microwaves - A great mix!

Today, Saturday, April 8, 2017 around 11:30 am, Herbert, AF4JF; Zack, W9SZ; Rich, N0PQU and myself, KO0Z meet at Aerie's Winery overlooking Grafton, IL in grid square EM48sx.  The WX was spectacular and the sun abundant.  Herbert, picked up a little too much sun and went home with a headache and reddened skin.  It was great seeing everyone after a winter of microwave inactivity.  Zack and I brought our 10 GHz rigs and we were able to copy the WB9PNU beacon very well from the winery parking lot and from the Dow AT&T site in EM49ua.  In fact, at the winery parking lot, no matter where I turned my dish, the beacon was very clear.  A great second meeting for BARS!  Next time, I won't be so late arriving for the meeting ( I was 90 minutes late....ouch!). 

             Thanks Herbert for suggesting this winery!  It's a wonderful place with fantastic scenery.

 Zack, W9SZ; Herbert, AF4JF and Rich, N0PQU enjoying lunch high above Grafton, IL in EM48sx.  In the background is the Mississippi River and St. Charles County, MO also in EM48.  Temp was around 72 degrees, sunny and windy.

Looking south along the Mississippi River with a tow boat and barge.  The Ameren UE Portgage Des Sioux power plant is in the background.

                                             Zack, W9SZ setting up at Dow, IL in EM49ua.

                      Ron, KO0Z with his rig at the Dow site receiving the WB9PNU beacon.

                           S-9 signal report for the WB9PNU/b at Dow, EM49ua.

            AM broadcast station WJBM, 1480 near Jerseyville, IL on my way back home to Girard, IL

                                                      WJBM broadcast tower.

                                              Some more WJBM broadcast towers.

                                     Sometimes, wild weeds provide the prettiest ground cover!