As the coordinator for the W4IY VHF Contest Group I don't agree with limiting
the number of ops at a LM station. It takes us at least 7-8 people to move all
the equipment up the mountain for each contest and set up. These things
include 2 to 3 generators, 3 AB 577 masts, 2 25G towers, stacked beams on 6
thru 432, radios, amps, computers, etc. The reason we went to LM after years
of Unlimited Multi operating was we did not have the number of people necessary
to set up all the equipment nor the operators needed to keep the stations on
the air during the contest. Further, there was no way we were ever going to
place above 7th in the Unlimited Multiop category given the competion and our
limited resources (people and equipment). We would love to put up all the
stuff we have on 903, 1296, 2304 and 10G as considerable time and money has
benn expended but the manpower to assemble it all and then man the stations has
just not been available. Anyone want to join us at W4IY is welcome and if we
get enough people to come up the mountain with us maybe we can start working
the higher bands again. I think this is a great discussion going on and I
support anything that will make the contest more interesting and draw more
participation. See you from FM08jm at 4300 feet, Flagpole Knob, 30 miles west
of Harrisonburg, VA. 73, Jack W4NF
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