[UK-CONTEST] Decline in VHF/UHF contest activity

[Ray James]

Hi all,

It's not often I disagree with Chris but this is on of those rare occasions ;-)

>I think the VHFCC were quite correct to restrict
> the use of the ON4KST chat-room - with the best will in the world, the
> temptation to correct incorrectly copied QSO information must be almost
> impossible to resist. 

As far as I'm aware the VHFCC has never provided specific examples of what actually upset them. Chris made no reference to the use of the DX-Cluster which is also effected. I personally cannot think of ever seeing an occasion when someone corrected a serial number on KST or DXC though I have seen contravening spots asking for "serial number again" or words to that effect. Like Jiri found, little or nothing from UK operators.


>Sorry guys, but this is a radio hobby, not an internet hobby.  

I agree.

> For years VHF and UHF DXing/weak-signal QSOs worked well with
> just an radio + amp + antenna + CQ to solicit QSOs - why should it be any
> different in 2008? 

Okay, a non-contesting point.
Remember the VHF Net? 14.345 was the pre-cursor to the internet.
There was also numerous newsletters in the USA and EU used for arranging skeds. As a participant, Chris will also recall we had a G/GM/GW telephone warning system for Aurora and E's doing precisely what the internet provides for everyone now. I still recall one embarrassing occasion I activated everyone with a Sporadic E warning after hearing a foreign language on Band 2. Tt turned out to be a new Gaelic service from Radio Scotland!
We could expand the discussion and say wasn't CQWW just fantastic when we never had DXC or contest logging software but we can't go back. As long as the technology is used properly and fairly then I don't have a problem. 
If a small minority don't play ball then why support a position where everyone is made to suffer?
 
> The decline in 2m contest activity has 2 facets - firstly -
> where are the 10W/100W + 8ele yagi brigade, who were the 'bread and
> butter' (aka 'cannon fodder'!) of the portables in the 1980s and early  > 1990s?  My theory is that the current generation have never experienced the thrill of completing a 1000km QSO, so don't see 'anything in it for
> them' ?

I disagree Chris.
I don't think the lack of completing long distance contacts on 2m has anything whatsoever with the lack of 2m contest participation.
In my opinion, the demise coincided with the open availability of the 6m band and also the availability for HF operation to the then "B" licence holders. 6m opened up a magic new potential of not only working the UK and Europe but under favourable conditions all over the world. The "bread and butter" is now enjoying "bread and butter" elsewhere in their droves.
Even locally I never hear anyone talking VHF/UHF DX or contesting, it's all 6m or HF.
What operators remain on 2m and or 70cm are then left with contest rules/multipliers more suitable to a country in the middle of Europe with 360 degrees of activity rather than one on the North West edge of Europe. 

 

73 Ray GM4CXM