[UK-CONTEST] ARS 144mhz

[Alex GM3ZBE]

Hi
I've recently installed a basic 2M setup after many years absence from 
VHF (7ele at 20ft and 20W from an IC706).
I have to say I have been somewhat surprised at the way 2M CW/SSB DX 
activity  has plummeted, I hardly hear any, even in the contest there 
was just a handful of stations.  I've not operated seriously on 2M from 
Scotland since I moved from near Aberdeen to Oxford in 1988 but activity 
then was extremely good from the East coast of Scotland.  What on earth 
has happened?  I'm going to leave the 2M beam up for a while but it 
looks like it is hardly worth the effort?

 I was easily able to work Paul G4RRA with my modest setup so condx must 
have been there.  I have to admit the GB3VHF beacon was inaudible 
though, I normally just hear it in the noise.

Alex, GM3ZBE

Paul pasquet wrote:
> Hello Andy
>
> Also nice to work you in the contest.
>
> I also agree with Ray with regards to the scoring system,if I had a pound for everyone who told me I was loud off the back of the antenna I would have retired to somewhere warmer than Devon by now!
>
> The fact is that the majority beam east to get the distance,or in the case of the activity contest the multipliers.
>
> This leaves those of us in the more remote parts of the country out on a limb.If I didnt run high power from this location I would never be able to attract the attention that I do,I know for a fact that many at my local club dont bother coming on because even if they do hear someone they cant get them to swing the antennas to the South West.
> Having operated from the east coast on many occasions our main antenna stays east most of the time,with the occasional turn West if the DLs and PAs dry up,which isnt very often.
>
> As far as GB3ANG is concerned it was actually worse than normal for most of the day, so it looks like your new QTH might work out pretty well !
>
> Paul G4RRA
>
>
>  
>
>  http:/mysite.freeserve.com/4rra
>
>   
>