[VHFcontesting] Pre-contest skeds

[Larry Tree Tyree N6TR]

> But we digress I think. I think it's keeping the activity up that's the most 
> important thing. Log submissions are going down each year. Rovers gave VHF 
> contests a shot in the arm, but basically things are slowing down. If making 
> skeds helps keep interest up and activity up and is done within the 
> framework of the rules, I still don't see a problem with it. I operate each 
> June and September at the K1WHS unlimited multiop in southern Maine. We have 
> ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE of ever catching W2SZ/1 who is in the same category and 
> in a better geographical location and lots higher. So, we really only are 
> competing with ourselves each year. That being said, we don't really care if 
> our competition makes skeds.. What the heck, we just want to squeeze the 
> best we can out of the station and have some fun..

Agree about the challenge of increasing activity...  but even though the
log submission might be down, I am pretty bullish about activity levels.

True, the demographics are working against us, but I still think there are
a lot of new people discovering the 50, 144 and 432 positions on their new
radios.  I was stunned to work 45 QSOs on 432 from my QTH in Oregon.  Since
then, our club has put up a beacon to hopefully encourage more activity
(K7RAT on 432.313 in CN85ss).

I think the use of different antenna configurations to pull in the guys you
can move to other bands is an important consideration for the VHF contester.
Last year, I did this on six meters with three antennas and a stack-match.
This year, I will try it more on two meters (now that I have some power).  
I think this will be a much more effective way to lure in those guys who
you can move to the other bands.  

Sorry about W2SZ being in the "same category" as you...  

Tree N6TR
tree at kkn.net