[VHFcontesting] Re: Fw: VHFcontesting, Get A Grip!

[John Geiger]

Our goal should not be to try and level the playing
field, because that is impossible.  Even if we
eliminate the differences in popluatin densities
(which is impossible) we still have propogation
differences.  For example, when I lived in EN41, we
had three straight VHF contests with some aurora. 
Nothing major, but it added a few grids.  Since moving
to EM04, I have had 1 aurora session, and worked 1
station, and it was not during a contest.  The same
applies for tropo, eskip.  ALso, the further north you
go, the smaller the grid squares get, so multipliers
become easier.

Even if we could equate all of the above, the playing
field is still not level due to equipment differences,
antenna differences, etc.  I don't have the resources
at this time to buy rigs for some of the microwave
bands, and bigger amps for the rigs I do have.  I do
have 100 watts on 6,2 and 432, which is probably
standard for most of the low power class, but I only
have 10 watts of FM on 222 and 1 watt of FM on 1296. 
I am sure that many in the low power class are running
more than that on those bands, while others are not
QRV on those bands at all.
I also have fairly small antennas at a low height.  I
don't have the money at the current time to improve
antennas much, or to put up monster towers.  I make do
with what I have.  THen there is always the problem of
station location, average terrain, etc.

The point is, there is no way to equalize the playing
field, so lets stop trying.  Our main objective, maybe
our only one, should be trying to get as many people
on the air for a VHF contest as possible, on as many
bands as possible. 

It seems like the solution to the original post would
be to eliminate the limited multioperator category,
and I am not unsure that it is a bad idea.  I also
don't see any reason why the rover category is limited
to 2 operators?  It might be beneficial to eliminate
that restriction also.  

Bob, K2DRH, sitting in the middle of the country at
the Iowa/Illinois border has demonstrated that it is
possible to win from areas other than the Northeast.
Check out the last few VHF contest results for low
power.  Of course it has taken dedication on his part,
not to mention stacked antennas on big towers.  

73s John NE0P
--- Arthur Moe <kb7ww at easystreet.com> wrote:
> Jim and all
> 
> The real complaint is the LEAGUE not allowing
> Limited multi to use
> all bands.  Out here we need all stations on all the
> bands that the
> can get on, not leaving gear at home or if operating
> from home not being
> able to operate on some bands.
> 
> We will never be able to compete with the stations
> in the east, and yes if the
> Limited Multis back there could use all bands all
> scores will go up.  The
> problem out here is to get more stations on all
> bands. If you look at the
> contest scores you will see that there few multi
> stations that go out 
> portable in any contest.  Who is the small guy with
> a 2.4 rig going to work,
> maybe a rover if he gets close. Yet there is a
> couple of guys doing limited from
> Hebo, Southfork, Round Top, House or Mount Scott
> that he might work but they 
> can't be on that band.  
> 
> For those of you that don't know Jim NN7K is
> originally from the greater 
> Portland, OR area so I used some of the local
> contest spots. This is also true
> in any area out here.  There will be few large Multi
> efforts here in the north 
> west because of the man power problems.  If you take
> eight guys from the local
> area to do a big effort then you have taken 8
> stations off the air for the 
> contest and replaced them with one. All this does is
> lower every ones scores.
> 
> 
> Just my rambling and the flame suit is on.
> 
> 
> Art
> KB7WW
> 
> 
> 
> 
> NN7K at reno.rmci.net wrote:
> > 
> > Gotta go along with tim, with further comments-,
> as kid freshly licensed,
> > and couple friends , used to enter contests (can
> remember more than couple,
> > with Q's = 38, in 2 sections, on 6 and 2 (total
> points about 72), and
> > takeing the section award in IDAHO! gawd, this
> dates me, and my buddies.
> > might have got more, but lightning ran us off
> (have you ever heard your yagi
> > mount arcing, only to let up at the first
> "KABOOMBA")?  oh, well, that dated
> > me right there (a.m. days).  but, that ANYONE
> wanting to be top dog, setting
> > up on EAST COAST , with do it yourself multipliers
> (6 meters thru mental
> > telepathy, or "X-RAY") but,out here, had to work
> bible nets, and talk to
> > folks that DIDN'T want to converse! Now, just how
> will you EVER make this
> > playing field equal?  Answer is , NO WAY ! Can it
> ever be done. but maybe
> > sanctions should be placed to put a "Population
> Differential" multiplier
> > into the equasion, I.E . Population density over
> so many 100 K /per 500
> > miles density, gets multiplier of 1, density under
> , say for the sake of
> > arguement, 1k/500 miles , multiplier of 20.
> > this on top of sections,& grids or what have you! 
> , but, again, let me
> > reflect-- If Tim, or several others from the LEFT
> COAST hit the small hills
> > on the EAST COAST you call "MOUNTAINS" , think
> would eat your BREAKFAST and
> > then some!  -- Jim NN7K
> > 
> > K7XC Wrote:Subject: VHFcontesting, Get A Grip!
> > 
> > > I have stayed on the sidelines on this topic,
> untill now,
> > > as my work schedule has kept me too busy to give
> > > the time needed to read and digest the many Many
> > > MANY Emails generated to date.
> > >
> > > It is curious how a question on LP or HP
> Multi-Limited
> > > turned into this "lets change everything"
> crusade and while
> > > we're at it, let's rehash "how the ROVER's got
> screwed".
> > >
> > > Folks, Rule changes are the last thing we need
> to do.
> > >
> > > As far as overall participation shrinking, What
> we are
> > > seeing is a symptom of society at large, nothing
> more.
> > >
> > > People have lives outside radio that make more
> and more
> > > demands on their time every year. A economy
> thats all over
> > > the spectrum from hot to cold, Layoffs,
> Downsizing, etc.
> > >
> > > Then there are the many other distractions like
> the Web,
> > > The Web on DSL :-) , a Wife, Kids, a house that
> needs work,
> > > Family, Friends, a demanding job, etc...
> > >
> > > Life seems much more hectic these days forceing
> us to pick
> > > and choose how to utilize our ever shrinking
> "Free Time".
> > >
> > > That being said, There are a few things being
> discussed that
> > > just need to let fade away.... Like VHF Contest
> Rule Changes.
> > >
> > > I for one and damn tired of this group or that
> group pissed
> > > off they cant win cause someone else had a
> better location,
> > > or a more organized club effort, more bands,
> more power,
> > > more operators, and try ro get the rules changed
> to favor them
> > > rather than suck it, work on improving their
> station and skills,
> > > and realize the life isnt fair, someone else
> will always have a
> > > edge. Analyze your efforts to date for areas to
> improve and do
> > > so, and quit worrying about the other guy.
> > >
> > > I know the chances of my 4 band effort here in
> NV have a very very
> > > very very slim chance of ever winning the US
> title but I still give
> > > it everything I got year after year. Why?
> Because it's FUN! I do
> > > focus on improving the station, my skills, the
> location used,
> > > strategy, etc, rather than look for ways to
> change the contest to my
> > > advantage.
> > >
> > > If anyone should want distance scoring it should
> be someone like me where
> > > the next active station N, NE, E, SE, or S is
> typically 200 -300 miles
> > away!
> > > Do I want it, HELL NO! Why make something so
> difficult to score it drives
> > > everyone away? Damn silly to me.
> > >
> > > Do I want even "more fractured categories", HELL
> NO! Why cater to these
> > guys
> > > who wont try a new approach like
> moutaintop-portable instead of staying at
> > > home
> > > in the noise infested valleys.
> > >
> > > I could go on for days but I have spent much to
> much time here this
> > morning
> > > as it is.
> > >
> > > Offer enticements like FREE, Yes, FREE T-Shirts
> and Mugs to the top 100
> > > entrants,
> > > but Leave the rules alone!
> > >
> > > Gotta Run!
> > >
> > > 73s de Tim - K7XC(/R) - DM09ol... sk
> > >
> > > http://k7xc.tripod.com/K7XCweaksignal/
> > >
> > > ------
> > > Submissions:                   
> vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu
> > > Subscription/removal requests: 
> vhf-request at w6yx.stanford.edu
> > > Human list administrator:      
> vhf-approval at w6yx.stanford.edu
> 
=== message truncated ===


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