Best time of year for tropo. Lots of K-LOVE signals.

WYTZZ95FM (and any other hams) - I chat most nights with a friend who drives a truck from Schaumburg to Mauston, WI on the 146.79 VARA repeater, which is West of Elgin. There's been several nights where hams from Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa have jumped into the QSO. And if my friend still carries the repeater beyond Beloit, we know it's a good night for tropo.
Throw your call out between 9:00 and 10:00 and say hi!