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[VHFcontesting] Comments on proposed VHF+ rules changes

To: vhf-contest-proposal@arrl.org
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Comments on proposed VHF+ rules changes
From: Robert Cumming <w2bzy@cfl.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 16:02:48 -0500
List-post: <mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
I have been reading all the messages VHFcontesting reflector on this thread for the past month or so and have come to the point of having to kick in my $0.02.

First is Publicity. Nothing beats seeing your name in print. As president of a very active club, I always get comments from club members when my name appears in QST (Especially First Place for the Section or Division). The paper on the wall isn't as important as your name in Print.

Having been a VHF'er since the mid 50's in the famous NE activity corner of the US for many years who moved just over a decade ago to the once VHF/UHF barren flatlands of the Florida peninsula, I feel that Dave, W1WHS's comments on this matter are right on target. The main point is that most people will take whatever means needed to justify their investment in equipment vs. the amount of activity on a particular band.

When I first got to Florida in 1992 there were only a handful of stations on 1296 and no activity on 903 or 2304 and up. Thanks to the encouragement of Chuck, K0VXM, I got going on 903 and soon there after on 2304. If there is activity, use will occur. From almost no activity to what is now a growing group of 903+ operators here in Central Florida is truly amazing, but, without the ARRL Contest, 3 times a year to encourage activity, who knows. I can relate to Dave's (W1WHS) 10 GHz tales. Here on the Florida peninsula, there was almost no 10 GHz activity until recently when K0VXM, WA8TTM and others started populating the Microwaves with signals. At the recent HamCationSM here in Orlando, I bit the bullet and finally got that 10 GHz Transverter from Downeast Microwave and should be ready to run in the June Contest. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY!!!!!!!

We don't need less activity on ANY of the VHF bands and I fully support anything that increases activity. This is really important in the less densely populated areas like Northern Maine and Florida (to mention a few) where the VHF population is "off the beaten path".

As to the points/contact, contacts on the microwave bands require much more time and effort than those on 6M or 2M. Justification to get on these bands is not only the Multipliers, but the increased points/contact for each one made. If you want to add in a distance factor, ok, but retain the spread for those of us who toil on the 902+ bands. Distance is easy on 6M in June with E skip and a reasonable station (I run 700W and 7 Elements there and can easily generate a pileup for hours when the band is open) but E Skip can favor one area of the country while excluding others. The same applies to "Tropo" openings. Here in central Florida the conditions exist for Tropo both across the Gulf into Texas and up the coast to the Mid Atlantic States. Proof of this is that one station of the North American 3456 Tropo record is here in EL98 (WA8TTM). Ron is one of the shining stars of Ham Radio activity here in Central Florida. He is active on all bands from 1.8MHz to 24 GHz. As to myself, I can only claim 160M to 13CM but 3CM will be on the air soon from this station thanks to the surge in microwave activity here.

As to power, Most 2M bricks on the market are in the 160-170 Watt range, why not draw the line at 200W for 2M as most who use the bricks will claim to be under the 150W limit anyway. Perhaps a sliding scale of 200W foe 50 and 144 MHz. 150W on 222 and 432, (we can't legally run over 50 W at the antenna here in FL) and 100W on 902+ would be fair.

As to attracting New or "Casual Operators", Perhaps a multiplier for the number of "New" (never submitting a log for a band) operators on every new band activated. This might encourage people to add bands to their stations. This is easily verified by checking past logs submitted to the Contest Desk. Perhaps an adjunct for "Club" competition might be a multiplier for all the "New" people added on the air generating a reasonable number of contacts - i.e.. 10 QSOs on 6M, 2M or 70Cm, 2 or 3 QSOs on 222MHz and 1 each on 902+ MHz. This would encourage clubs to solicit casual operators and help people to add 222 and 902+ to their existing stations.


As to Rovers, what W1WHS states is absolutely correct. Rovers can create activity. Here in Florida rovers can generate a pileup on 2M and we welcome them, anything beats listening to noise. Yes the June contest usually has enough e-skip to keep you busy on 6M, but early morning usually gives us activity on 903+ and keeps the contest going. If only we could get the rovers to pack their "Rover mobiles" with microwave equipment also then we might have a epiphany of microwave activity here. Again More bands are better, It increases activity - it doesn't detract from the more active bands - it supplements it.


The prospect of such activity has spawned the FLWSS (Florida Weak Signal Society) group with a weekly net on 432.100 to give those interested in VHF+ activity a place to gather and trade ideas. The group had its first formal hamfest get together at the Orlando HamCationSM with over 30 attendees (including Steve and Sandra of DEMI fame). Most attendees are active on the big 3 (50, 144, 432 MHZ) but there are quite a few others active on 222 (don't take any steps to decrease activity here) and 1296.

Steve, N2CEI, saw people interested in getting on 2304 and up at DEMI's HamCationSM booth and he left for home with a lighter load of transverters and other equipment than he came with. I hope, as president of the host club (The Orlando Amateur Radio Club), that his wallet was heavier!


Please don't do anything to jeopardize that like discouraging Rovers (even captive ones, I wish I had the means or spare equipment to outfit a rover on the 902+ bands) or eliminating any VHF+ frequency from ANY VHF+ contest.


End of Rant

VRY 73

Bob Cumming
W2BZY
President - Orlando Amateur Radio Club
VE, OO, Award Manager- VUCC/DXCC
QRV 160M through 13 CM (3 CM soon)
From EL98hr (you all point those antennas south now)


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