Our Megacycle Group, a division of the Lakeshore Repeater Association is building a DX Contest level HF network around our base location in Raymond, Wisconsin. All radios will be remotely accessible from almost anywhere in the world giving our members a competitive chance in today’s DX hunts.
We have 3 towers arranged in a triangular pattern on our 9 acre site and low latency connections to other volunteer radio sites around the country. Our first operational tower sports a beam up 62 feet that covers 20,17,15,12, and 10 meters. Our 6 element 6m beam will be up at 65 feet just above the HF beam.
The bases of the other two towers are already poured and one of them is currently supporting a temporary GAP TITAN antenna up on one section. Multiple RF cables, Internet cables, and rotor cables are already in place in underground 4″ pipes to each tower. The towers are 150 feet apart.
After the 6m antenna is installed, we’ll string two orthogonal 80/40 fan dipoles between the towers. They’ll be up about 55 feet and should be good performers with global coverage.
We have 9 vacant and clear acres of land to play with with the possibility of installing Beverage antennas over 700 feet long.
Radio-wise, we have a FlexRadio 8400 and a 6400 on line at Raymond. Our first linked site in North Carolina is also operational with a Flex 6600 giving users a selection of 3 individual stations and multiple antennas.
Our opportunities are only limited by the success of our fundraising efforts. Our fees are very low and non-recurring at this time so we are highly dependent on donations. To date, it has cost us over $25,000 to get this far along, all supported by donations from hams like you. Please help if you are able to do so.
Users should all be enrolled in the Project North Star groups.io forum. We will make all system announcements there. Search groups.io or contact K9SO at VP@KR9RK.COM for an invite. This forum will be used for system operational announcements only and not for casual conversation. Join the LRA Happy Hour forum for that.
HOW TO JOIN: In addition to LRA club membership, a $50 setup donation is required for those who have not already contributed during the GoFundMe phase. At this time, there are no “per minute” operating charges or annual fees. Please contact Rick at TREASURER@KR9RK.COM for more information.
● Contact Bruce, K9WBT, via email at k9wbt.ham@gmail.com to schedule system training. ● Bruce will advise Matt, AF9Q of your certification and then Matt will provide VPN credentials and more detailed information on how to connect. You may contact Matt directly at SECRETARY@KR9RK.COM . Copy K9SO at VP@KR9RK.COM on all communications.
More details can be viewed in our original presentation to the membership. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12aN3iipddnVrfH7IXPGNWXt6urFpB2eVrGVDSm1JaV4/edit?usp=sharing
Our first beam, up 62 feet, just went up over the Labor Day weekend this year. The GAP vertical is visible in the distance just to the right of the big tower:
Our first FlexRadio and the first of many planned antennas was installed in June:
Two FlexRadios are now on line and operating, one in Raymond, Wi. and the other in Mooresville, NC. The third Flex connected to the HF beam will be operational soon.
Donations are still needed to fund these ongoing efforts. Click on the DONATE button or contribute via GOFUNDME at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lakeshores-project-north-star