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Re: [VHFcontesting] Getting beginners interested in VHF Contesting

To: John Geiger <aa5jg@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Getting beginners interested in VHF Contesting
From: David Pruett <k8cc@comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:29 -0500
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
John,

Your points about satellite operation are good ones, but this is a 
reflector about VHF/UHF Contesting, not general VHF/UHF operating.

I think contest operation on satellites (other than Field Day) is 
discouraged due to current drain issues for the bird.

Dave/K8CC

John Geiger wrote:
> I have this antenna up now.  I went into it knowing it would be a bit of a 
> compromise but it was the best fit for the size and layout of the station 
> when I put it up.  It is also nice for the 857/706/FT100 crowd because it 
> uses a single feedline which fits with the signal SO239 those rigs use for 
> 2m/70cm.  Overall, I have been pleased with its performance given its size.  
> I have worked 350 miles on UHF with it on tropo, and made a few 800 mile plus 
> QSOs on 2m during an Es opening.
>
> It is currently getting a pretty good workout on the satellites, and I think 
> that is an area to also point beginners in VHF/UHF comms to keep up their 
> interest.  Yes, 2m and 70cm SSB/CW terresterial is a blast and there is 
> nothing like a good band opening to really get you going, but those don't 
> happen all of the time.  The satellites give you a chance to use your 2m/70cm 
> equipment on a daily basis, chase new grids squares and go for your VUCC.  
> Plus it is "predictable propagation."  You know when the "band is going to be 
> open" by using the satellite tracking software.
>
> I know this is a thread about getting new people into VHF contesting but I 
> think that also directing them to the satellite operation potential of their 
> SSB/CW gear may help to increase their interesting and keep them going 
> between contests and band openings.
>
> 73s John AA5JG
>
> --- On Sat, 3/6/10, Tom Carney <tomc@carneysugai.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> For example, I recently modeled a dual band yagi that
>> appears to be a 
>> Cushcraft A270-10S.  This antenna has five elements on
>> each band.  The 
>> elements for one band are mounted above the boom, the other
>> band below. 
>>   Cushcraft quotes 10bdi gain for each band, but
>> EZ-NEC predicted only 
>> about 8 dbi on 432.  Remove the 2M elements from the
>> model and the gain 
>> jumps over 2db.
>>
>>
>>     
>
>
>
>
>
>       
>
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>   

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