[UK-CONTEST] 144 MHz Trophy - lack of activity

[dave]

My view is that the decline in VHF/UHF Activity was evident long before 
the changes to the Licensing system.

At least the changes have helped to avoid a similar collapse of UK 
activity on HF and should not be blamed for the situation on VHF.

As for Roger's proposal, 1KW every where for full License, dream on!

Some of the 2m proponent's comments suggest forcing people to use VHFor 
nothing at all - that is a sure way to ensure the demise of Amateur 
Radio in the UK. We saw with the Novice License that the majority were 
never renewed, people soon tire of only talking to their neighbour on 70 
cms.

Why force people to do something they don't want to do? We have a 
choice, and very clearly the majority prefer HF.

As for the Contests, the majority of us do not live in Kent or Essex, 
any scoring system which gives the rest of the UK a chance is to be 
welcomed. It is significant that the only opposition to recent changes 
comes from the lucky stations on the East Coast who have found their 
traditional advantage reduced.

Don't think I am anti -VHF/UHF/SHF - years ago (~40) I spent my summers 
working DX on those bands and setting up big /P stations for contests. I 
became bored with hearing only EU beacons when the bands were wide open, 
but nobody QRV for a QSO, and in contests not being in a Group prepared 
to travel long distances - in any cases most good sites were already 
spoken for or unavailable due to commercial activities.

I wish we could go back to those halcyon days - but trying to do it by 
restrictive licensing is not the way. VHF must be made more appealing if 
activity is to grow again. Wish I knew how!

73 Dave G3TBK