[VHFcontesting] A suggestion for Limiting MultiOps [was: A su ggestion for ERP-based Entry Classes]

[Ed Kucharski]

Well said Mark!  I couldn't agree with you more.  I'm taking a break from 
assembling my new 112 element 3456MHz "blowtorch" looper (a new band for 
me) which is going to be placed on my new tower that is dedicated to vhf 
thru microwaves.  I wanted to add 3456 to try to stay competitive, I put up 
a new tower to give me added windloading for the 3456MHz antenna and 
eventually a dish for 5.7/10GHz (and the tower mounted electronics that 
will go along with it) to try to stay competitive.  I added additional runs 
of 7/8 and 1 5/8 inch hardline to help my station play better and try to 
stay competitive.  I want to challenge the likes of K1TEO, AA2UK, WA2FGK, 
K1RZ, W4RX, KM0T, K2AXX, WB9Z, K2SMN all the PackRats (in the January VHF 
SS), etc. and to consistently have my station place in the top 5 of the 
SOHP category.  In response to my challenge and the challenge of others who 
are attempting to improve their station I expect that will push the top 
stations to improve and expand their stations.  Will my friend K1RZ add 3.4 
and/or 24GHz to try to catch K1TEO and remain a couple of steps in front of 
me and others?  This is what I find fun about vhf+ operating and station 
building.  I just wish I had more time to operate outside of contests and 
band openings especially on uhf+.

Some are now taking this thread to include new contests.  One that has been 
mentioned in the past is an all band (50MHz - daylight) sprint.  Maybe and 
8-12 hour event which could allow for experimentation with some new rules 
and categories.  I would be in favor of such a contest to potentially 
replace, or in addition to,  the present spring or fall spring 
series.  More food for thought...

73,
Ed K3DNE


At 10:33 AM 12/16/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >You are not going to get everyone who shows an interest in VHF operating to
> >buy microwave gear.  It's expensive, it takes a lot of time and effort to
> >build a station, and a lot of time and effort to learn how to use it.  It
> >has been and always will be a small niche activity.
>
>The same argument can be made about becoming a competitive HF contest
>station. It's expensive, it takes a lot of time and effort to build a
>station, and a lot of time and effort to learn how to use it. The big
>difference, is it takes more time to construct a microwave-capable station -
>as it's not a plug-n-play operation. Sure, an HF station isn't either - but
>more so than getting 903 on the air with 50w.
>
>Didn't your contesting experience at K8GP teach you ANYTHING about the VHF+
>contesting environment? Sure, you make fewer QSOs on 903+. BUT, with the
>right combination of conditions and activity - you can do REALLY NEAT STUFF.
>
>Yeah, That IS my interpretation. I like the microwave bands. I'm a BIG
>proponent of their advancement and use. SO? If that's a problem, then let's
>just tell the FCC that we don't need these big hunks of spectrum anymore.
>What you advocate, is removing one of the PRIMARY reasons people build,
>tweak and use microwave equipment on a regular basis. So what if there's a
>competitive advantage! If it is advantageous to me, then it MUST be
>advantageous to you as well.
>
>If it means making more QSOs so I can beat someone else - then count me in.
>I'm a competitive guy - if I need to add bands to become more competitive -
>that is what it takes. What offended me, wasn't the discussion that M/L has
>been killing microwave operations - it's that YOU are insinuating that
>because of guys like me YOU CAN'T WIN.
>
>Didn't you see the post by KM0T, who lives in IOWA? Who scores in the Top-5,
>and will be able to kick MY BUTT in a VHF Contest? HOW DOES HE DO IT? HE
>told you. He has bands. Lots of them. And they work very well. With a slip,
>breakdown, or WHATEVER - he's gonna take the #1 slot. That's for sure. Why?
>Because he's a competitive guy, too. And he realized that, in order to win
>in VHF+, you need the bands to do it.
>
>
> >In HF contesting, there are all sorts of different contests with all
> >sorts of different rules and different entry categories, offering different
>
> >competitive opportunities for everyone.  There is nowhere near the same
> >variety in VHF contesting, and here you want to make sure that every
> >entry category in every contest is the same and requires people to be
> >on 10 or 12 bands and live in a very small region of the country in order
>to
> >have a remote chance of winning.
>
>There is equally as much stratification based on geography in HF as there is
>in VHF. You really believe that any M/M station you construct in TX stands a
>chance in HELL of beating KC1XX, W3LPL or K3LR? Or in SOHP - can you beat
>KQ2M, KT1V, AA1K? Or K4JA, K1AR in M/2? How about K1KI, N3RS in M/S? I doubt
>it. How about the best SOHP(A)? Try catching KI1G, W2UP. Let's see. That's
>M/M, M/2, M/S, SOHP, SOHP(A) that you can't win. That leaves SOLP, SOLP(A),
>SOAB QRP, SOAB(A) QRP. Hmm. LOTS of ways to not win from TX. Except for 10m
>contest, November Sweepstakes. You'll clean house.
>
> >Maybe we should get rid of HF contests, too, because, you know, they aren't
> >using the microwave bands, either.  And often big HF contest weekends
> >attract operators who might instead be doing a VHF contest, too.  Aren't
> >HF contests in opposition to the promotion of microwave spectrum usage?
>
>No. Let's not get rid of ANYTHING. Let's make the BEST of what's out there,
>and compete on the existing playing fields. There are plenty of options,
>even in VHF+ contesting. SOHP, SOLP, SO QRP, M/M, M/L, Rover and
>single-bands. I don't see much difference here, other than the number of (A)
>categories between VHF and HF contests. Where, if anywhere, do you see the
>lack of variety that you spoke of earlier? I still see a decent slate of
>competitive categories, a decent sized group of competitors, and a LOT of
>opportunity. What YOU see, is the inability to win.
>
>If all a contest is about winning - then you have a natural disadvantage
>(geography), HF AND VHF. Instead of trying to force those who ENJOY the
>advantage to come down to your level, either consider bringing yourself UP
>to a level where you CAN make a competitive difference - or being content in
>what you HAVE accomplished.
>
> >Truth.
>Truth.
>
>Mark, K2AXX
>
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