[UK-CONTEST] Verticals at VHF

[Gordon Paterson]

Thanks for the replies Ray GM4CXM and CallumM0MCX.

Ray.

I was discussing 144 Mhz UKAC contesting, not 4m which I agree is 
completely different.  Your example is a big contest setup with plenty 
resource and time to put up the antenna's. I am discussing a decent 
setup for a 2.5 hour test that I need to take apart in the dark and in 
the worst of the weather. I do completely agree that we need to operate 
vertical on 4m on VHF FD etc.

Callum said:

<<All>>

<<Vertical's are *NOT* just for FM.>> 

<<Yes,. There's loss using a vertical to everyone's horizontal on SSB but you>>
<<still work half the field very easily.>> 


Callum.
I guess you are in a population centre to make that statement. From  GM, 
I can hardly hear anybody unless they are beaming at me so it's 
extremely unlikely I could work half of my Q's on a vertical. I work a 
few strong station, some easily workable but not strong and a whole load 
of weak and difficult contacts.  I have tried switching between a 
vertical and a beam and the DX station normally just disappears when 
switching to vertical. However, note that I said in the previous post 
that I would also put a vertically polarised beam on the mast next time 
as I'm all for working as many stations as I can. V or H :-)

Regards



Gordon
MM0GPZ