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

[Robert Chipperfield]

Hi David (and others - some interesting discussion),

> For me what makes a contest interesting is QSOs lots of them and
> technical/operator challenge.
If you're purely interested in getting through as many exchanges as 
possible in a given time, I can offer you a nice copy of MorseRunner 
that will allow you to copy as many exchanges as you ever want. Much 
cheaper than a radio, too, and none of those antennas to annoy the 
neighbours! ;-)

I'm guessing that probably doesn't excite you too much, though, so 
there's presumably at least some technical challenge there that makes it 
interesting.

So, given some spectrum between lots of QSOs with no technical challenge 
(MorseRunner, to take it to the extreme) and very few QSOs but very 
significant technical challenge (24GHz and up where you essentially have 
to build everything yourself, maybe?), there's obviously some point 
along that gives you the best compromise for your own interests. Add in 
a little variety to keep things interesting, and you find people doing a 
bit of both sometimes, or concentrating on one rather than the other.

> Even so I
> quickly work the band out and then think what now?

You go back and find the guy in <insert rare multiplier> who's been only 
S&Ping up until now, but just started calling CQ! I'm sure many of the 
people we worked on Sunday morning of the 2m trophy were absolutely 
workable on Saturday evening, yet we hadn't.

> I can also
> operate two bands at the same time on HF (SO2R) virtually all VHF+
> contests don't even enable me to work 2 bands at once so not much
> operator challenge.
Is there any reason you can't do SO2(or more)R on a single band on VHF? 
Obviously you don't have full duplex (though maybe that would be an 
interesting exercise in cavity building for ~200KHz split!), but 
combining S&P and run at the same time could, I'm sure, give you plenty 
to think about. Add in some SDR goodness and you can think of even more 
possibilities to keep you busy...

Personally, I enjoy both VHF and HF contests - but they're hugely 
different beasts! Running a pile-up of Americans on 20m at 3-400/hr in 
CQWW demands sharp operating of one kind, but finding and working that 
elusive multiplier on 2m, or realising there's just the hint of a lift 
to EA that's worth flogging, is a completely different skillset. Both 
are a challenge, both are rewarding when you get them right, but they're 
nothing like each other.

I'm sure this hasn't convinced you that it's worth your while coming on 
in a VHF contest - it wasn't designed to, and that's fine! It's just 
meant to be an indication of why some people, albeit not everyone, do 
find these strange bands where rates of 30/hr aren't too disastrous fun.

Cheers,
Rob, M0VFC

On 09/09/2011 19:18, David G3YYD wrote:
> For me what makes a contest interesting is QSOs lots of them and
> technical/operator challenge. Do VHF contests make the grade? One or two
> get close. VHFNFD: the local club with 400 watts, 30m high mast, 4
> stacked beams on 2m, similar set up on 70cm, 4m&  6m and on the top of
> the highest hill for many miles. I think we made about 550QSOs on 2m in
> 24 hours. I can do that in a few hours in a major HF contest. I can also
> operate two bands at the same time on HF (SO2R) virtually all VHF+
> contests don't even enable me to work 2 bands at once so not much
> operator challenge.
>
>   From home I have K3, very good 2m transverter and 350 watts to a single
> yagi at 65ft, but only 80m ASL. Everything I hear I can work. Even so I
> quickly work the band out and then think what now? I have lost interest
> in listening to the same stations I have already  worked and the noise
> between them. So I go QRT and do something more interesting. Do I come
> on next time there is VHF contest no not worth it. Much rather spend my
> effort (and brass) on a worthwhile HF contest.
>
> Now convince me and many operators thinking the same as me that VHF+
> contesting is worthwhile.
>
> 73 David G3YYD
>
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