[UK-CONTEST] Domineering VHF Contest Stations

[Jiri Culak]

Hi all


All interesting reading.
Mixed feelings but. Ray is right that UK VHF activity is dreadfull at best.
Advantage of good lcoation and good station will always play major 
Part in results as it plays massive role elsewhere. (I can't see Chelmsford
football club saying "we have poor location and we don't have that much time
as Man Utd. So we should be given chance of winning premier leauge on
basis....... Etc. 

I think the problem is elsewhere. When I started contesting on VHF I had
nothing apart from 5W SSB Radio, 2m 4el OK1KRC design yagi. I knew after
first OK AC that I will never win with what I have and where I am (300m ASL
surrounded by 1200m ASL  hilltops all around). Then I went to one of those
hilltops and tried it and with 5W I could work about 200QSOs in 2.5 hours.
Point taken, we do not have hilltops of 1200m ASL, but we do have better
locations than just home site, don't we? Looking at score tables /
participation from F,ON,PA their geography is closer to UK opposed to
OK/DL/S5 and still there is plenty of them around. 

So the question is, what is wrong with overall UK VHF Activity? 
If the contest is being run only to be won, then it's down to mentality.
(I felt like winner every time I got better results, going up the table, but
still knowing I will be never at the top)

Is it down to UKAC rules ? Will change of scoring increase?
It can probably create more chances and change UKAC perspective. Certainly
if something doesn't satisfy many and there is no enjoyment then change
could be way forward. (UKAC)

While attending Kemton park I heard someone saying "we are too old for that"
which I believe is just an excuse. (OK1EM,OK2ES etc. all go portable with
23cm, up to 47GHz and they are in their sixties)

When I was attending local radio club night's there were quite a few new
M3's and 2E's around. Initially they were interested, but after a month or
so they came with idea...why to bother with VHF when it's so much pain when
we can go on 80m or 20m and work world from home regardless location etc.
I think one word coming to my mind is laziness. (hope spelling is ok)

Anyway, my points are.


1) If UKAC means UK Activity Contest, maybe change of rules will help
promote VHF/UHF activity and contesting on these bands. As most are in
favour off giving advantage on inter UK Contacts over inter EU, maybe it
will be wise to move event away from NAC event. Maybe weekends ? As of
Tuesday evening I can't see many going /P till half ten and going to work
next morning.

2) If you think you are reaching limits of your station, try CW. I made only
handfull of CW contacts in UKAC in the past and only about half of them were
G.

3) Think about more reasons why activity is low and what can YOU do to
improve it.


Have a good day and weekend.... Suppose to rain again :-P  for a change


73 Jiri