[VHFcontesting] Farthest FM Contact

[Bill Burgess]

Ev and all,

I note with much interest the distance worked by Ev on FM, the power too.
FN03 to FN21 with 160 watts to a dipole.

I run an old IC-3 HT into a little Mirage brick of 20-30 watts on 223.5 into an FO16.  Ran EN94 to FN32 with no problem, was copyable from FN14ba to FN32jp W2SZ with the amp off running 1,5 watts too.

This past UHF ran K1TEO FN31 from FN14 and FN04 on 222.2 horizontal, full quieting, to the surprise of Jeff.  Granted, not omnidirectional, but FM can do more than most give it credit for.  I for one will change polarization and lower the frequency on FM for those not wanting to risk problems of high swr at 223.5, so you don't need to abort a qso and points simply because it is FM when I rover.
(still working on 222 tvtrs).

Power is king and antenna is queen?  I think the reverse is true, based on my past experiences.

73,

Bill   VE3CRU/R