[VHFcontesting] Insights to Consider

[Ev Tupis]

For almost a century, Amateur Radio -- and more importantly society itself -- 
has been dominated by HF operations (and encroachment attempts on the HF 
spectrum).  The ARRL has been made up of people with a vision that is dominated 
with that focus.  Every major aspect of League operation is spun around HF 
operation.

The turmoil that we read on this list is associated with the frustration that 
VHF+ operators feel with the perception that their League treats their interests 
in a second-class way.  Though I am CERTAIN that is NOT the League's intent, 
someone there needs to realize that HFers don't understand the issues of VHF+ 
(and RF life in the 21st century where the real pressure is on our 800-5800 MHz 
spectrum) well enough to do an effective job representing their interests.  VHF+ 
contests are simply "HF contests, moved to a new frequency and tweaked a 
little".  That doesn't work well (as is evidenced by 10k+ logs received for HF 
contests and 2k+ logs received for VHF contests).  Imagine the outcry in the HF 
community if the committee that heavily influenced THEIR future was made up of 
Technician-class operators. <giggle>

I'm leaving for the Central States VHF Society's meeting in Toronto on Thursday. 
  I am presenting on two topics (originally, I was slated for one 45-minute, but 
I asked to break it into a 30-minute [Transatlantic on Two Meters] and a 
15-minute [HamIM: VHF Contest Liaison!]).  I am certain that this thread will be 
a topic for discussion there.  I look forward to being part of it and hope that 
others will join me in collegial discussion with the purpose of inspiring 
momentum for positive outcome.

Regards,
Ev Tupis, W2EV