[VHFcontesting] Ham Radio: Connecting with People

[Ev Tupis <w2ev@arrl.net>]

If one assumes that Ham Radio is about communicating (connecting with 
people), then it is easy to see how HF is what people think about when it 
comes to Amateur Radio.  Pick *any* HF frequency, spend a half hour calling 
CQ and be rewarded with contact(s).  Try that on VHF and be rewarded with 
repeater ID's and static a vast majority of the time.

HF & VHF are two entirely different animals.  For long-term success on VHF, 
one needs a club (or at least a group of other folks who are regularly 
sharing their interest).  Yes, there are exceptions, but in the absence of 
human communication - there is little to get excited about.

Think about it...this is the draw of the Internet's IM craze among the 
younger set.  Just as our imaginations were engaged listening to short wave 
sets in our youth, theirs is massaged by imagining the person at the other 
end of the keyboard.

The Rover score controversy is related.  Contesters are rewarded with scores 
that rate their ability to connect with as many people as possible within a 
given time frame.  When it is possible to reach a higher reward by 
specifically *not* connecting with other people, the value of the event is 
diluted for everyone.

No-code HF will give us VHF+ers a challenge.

As for "them": I believe that the *legislative* secret (if there is one) to 
populating our VHF+ bands (including uWave frequencies under commercial 
assault) is to provide entry-level HF priviledges that are power-starved, 
and VHF+ priviledges that are not.  QRP HF rigs are a commonplace.  150-watt 
VHF bricks are too.  When combined, an entry-level HF license class with 10w 
HF and 200w VHF, 50w @ 903+ seems in order.

As for "us": I believe that the *practical* secret to populating our VHF+ 
bands is realizing that we need regular, interesting, engaging club meetings 
*and* activities [club competition in contests, orienteering parties, 
*sponsoring* a licensing class, presenting at other club's licensing 
classes, running a tune-up clinic, etc.].  Strong clubs = strong activity = 
strong growth.  Those unwilling to do this are part of the "problem" that no 
amount of legislation will help.

Of course, my opinion and $0.99 gets you a big gulp at the corner mini-market.

Ev Tupis, W2EV


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