I couldn't agree with you more, Sam. I think many
VHF/UHF contestors got their start using FM. My own
experience with VHF contesting started during the
radiosport contest (now the IARU contest) which was
originally a 48 hour contest and allowed contacts on 6
and 2 meters. I had an Icom 230 10 watt rig with a 5
element beam, and made several simplex QSOs just
looking for ways to increase the QSO total. Being
that the contest was in July, there was a little
tropo, and after a couple years of this, I was hooked.
Around that time my friend Dave, KA0GOA, bought a
Yaesu FT221R all mode 2 meter rig, so we got to start
VHF contesting on SSB.
In our local area we strongly encourage and aid
stations to get on FM during VHF contests, as many
locals here have a 2 meter or dual band HT. It gets
them a taste of contesting, while giving the
contesters extra points. Several of the locals have
become interested in SSB on VHF/UHF and have either
purchased or are looking at purchasing all mode rigs.
This adds to the ranks of the SSB operators on 2 and
432, then.
Given the terrible way the ARRL promotes getting on
VHF SSB/CW, we need to promote this area of the hobby
any way we can, and FM is one of the best ways. The
philosophy of the ARRL seems to be get everyone on 2
meter FM with an HT, immediately. I think that is how
most hams get started today. They may then migrate to
HF, to SSB on VHF, or lose interest all together. I
don't even like the phrase "weak signal". If you are
a new ham, are you going to spend extra money to get
involved in something with weak signals? Probably
not! Plus, why is a serious VHF station running 1.5
KW to stacked yagis, who might be 30 over 9 at my QTH
"weak signal" while the guy running low power on his
HT not?
73s John NE0P
--- Sam Powers <spowers1@neo.rr.com> wrote:
> What happened to getting on the air with what you
> Have. FM contacts are
> welcome and give the same points as CW and SSB at my
> station,K8USA. FM also
> gives our club members that don't have CW and SSB
> capability the chance to
> participate in the various weak signal contests.. I
> don't see the serious
> stations turning down the points they are offering
> by participating with FM.
> I think we need to spend more time cultivating FM
> contacts.. They may even
> get CW or SSB equipment when the bug bites!!
> 73
> Sam K8USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Johnson" <rjohnson@tmlp.com>
> To: <VHFcontesting@contesting.com>;
> <forsale-swap@mailman.qth.net>;
> <wsvhf@mailman.qth.net>; <vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu>;
> <newsvhf@mailman.qth.net>;
> <nwwsvhf@mailman.qth.net>; <rmvhf@mailman.qth.net>
> Cc: "John Geiger" <johngeig@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 9:49 PM
> Subject: Re: 222 Rig FS
>
>
> Who wants an FM rig for contesting, a CB'er ???
> If your into Weak Signal contesting, it's CW & SSB
> !!!
>
> 73
> Bob, K1VU
>
> At 03:52 PM 07/16/02 , John Geiger wrote:
> >I have a Midland 13-509 222 FM rig in good
> condition
> >for sale. This rig puts out 10 watts, and comes
> with
> >mic, manual, and original box. It is a crystalized
> >radio, with crystals for the national simplex
> >freq-223.5. Also has crystals for the following
> >repeater pairs: 223.34/224.94, 223.38/224.98, and
> >223.02/224.62. Would make a good contest rig to get
> >you on another band. Asking $65 plus shipping.
> >
> >73s John NE0P
> >
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