This is a very good point. It is how I got started in
weak signal operating on VHF-by making some tropo
contacts on 2 meter FM simplex, and realizing that 2
meters was more than talking with the same 6 guys on
the repeater. We need to promote VHF weak signal more
to technicians, as it is a great way to keep their
interest in the hobby. After all, how many give up
because they lose interest in repeater operating after
awhile. Getting them on simplex is one way to get
this interest started. And it keeps with the ARRL
tradition of promoting 2 meter FM at the expense of
everything else.
Here in Lawton, OK we made a special effort in the Jan
contest to get ops on 2 meter FM simplex if that was
all they had-including making special club
certificates for all who made contacts during the
contest period. We promoted this activity at club
meetings, on the air, during the nets, at the weekly
saturday breakfast gatherings, and it worked. We
about tripled the number of logs that were sent in
from this area, and succeeded in getting a couple of
techs in the area interested in weak signal operating.
73s John NE0P
--- KA0TP@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 5/22/02 11:01:27 AM Pacific
> Daylight Time, tree@kkn.net
> writes:
> <<
> In VHF, I am only really competiting against one or
> two locals. We
> make agreements on what is okay and not okay and
> then stick to it.
> For example, we don't make skeds, we don't use FM
> except on 223.5
> MHz and no packet.
> >>
> No FM?
> I have been advertising on nets and Repeaters in
> the area for people without
> SSB gear to try the contest on FM simplex with
> 146.58 as the 2M freq. I will
> be monitoring on the quater hour.
> There are a lot of Techs out there who have FM gear
> and don't really know
> there is more than repeaters to use. If pushing on
> the repeaters in the weeks
> before the contest, to get simplex contacts helps
> them discover VHF
> contesting, then MAYBE there will eventually be more
> than a "Few locals"
> doing VHF contesting.
> The beauty of the VHF contest is that it is All
> Mode. Any direct contct
> works. Regardless of Mode.
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> VHFcontesting@contesting.com
>
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