[VHFcontesting] New Blood

[REBeverly at comcast.net]

Amen!

Everyone listens and no one calls (sometimes including me)!  MAKE NOISE!

Also, study VHF propagation.  Challenging?.....YES, but also quite rewarding.  A good VHF'er can read a weather map, monitor auroral conditions, and monitor the MUF.  Different from HF?....sure, but then that's what makes it fun!

de Ralph, W4REB - EL96 & EM 78
> VHF/UHF New Blood!
> 
> I was a HF addict for many years. Ah the thrill of the chase and 80 was my 
> favorite band. Big antennas and power why? In the fall and winter the bands were 
> quite enough to work the world. In the evening work east, NE, and SE. In the 
> morning work west, NW and SW. The south could be worked in the morning and 
> evening.
> 
> Then I got into vhf. At first 2, then six and with the ts-2000 coming 432 will 
> be up soon. Just like HF there are band plans for vhf and uhf. Then there are 
> contests... My question is where in the heck is everyone that works these uhf 
> and vhf bands? 
> 
> Most evenings I run 125 watts on 6 with a 7 el M2 at 60 feet and call cq on cw 
> for ½ to 1 hour on the calling frequency 50.125. I am lucky if I get 1 response. 
> Sometimes I switch to 2 meters and repeat the same thing on the calling 
> frequency 144.200 again I am lucky if I get a response with the 19 element M2 at 
> 70 feet and 100 watts. I spend approximately 8 hours a week on vhf and don't 
> average 8 QSO'S for my efforts. When I'm not calling cq I am still monitoring 
> the calling frequencies. 
> 
> I can get on HF and work the world or at least think I am trying to work the 
> world. Why? There is plenty of activity on the HF bands. HAMS OPERATORS GET ON 
> THE HF BANDS AND CALL CQ IN AN EFFORT TO WORK ANOTHER HAM. Should you want to 
> increase the activity on the frequencies above 30 MC get on the radio and work 
> others with the same interests. When a newcomer gets on the band they will hear 
> activity and possibly work some one instead of finding a "dead band".
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Hal 
> 
> W4np EM 96ln.
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