[VHFcontesting] Shortest time to 2m VUCC

[Eugene Zimmerman]

Curt Roseman has given you one reason, John. There is now LESS activity on 2
meters than there was in the 1980's. Part of that is that grid squares were
a new thing in the 1980's. I certainly spent more time on 2 meters day to
day than I have done since. The more ready availability of 2 meter weak
signal gear has done very little to increase activity. It's the same story
on 6 where there are >100,000 of those tiny multimodes in existence and day
to day no activity on 6 UNLESS the band opens. Everyone watching the packet
box and hoping someone is actually monitoring the band - and no one
transmitting.

Looking at my database of 2 meter contacts, I offer a possible second
reason. Enhanced conditions primarily in the form of tropo were more
prevalent in the 60's. Even with packet it is rare to find a tropo opening
here on the east coast. I know there is a lot more in the Midwest but - I
think - significantly less than used to be in the 60's. I think aurora is
about the same and follows sunspot number and position in the cycle. But I
think Es is less on 2 than in the 80's I used to find 3-5 Es openings a year
on 2. Now I'm lucky if I get one. YMMV.


-----Original Message-----
From: John Geiger [mailto:johngeig at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 2:15 PM
To: curtis roseman; Dan_K9ZF
Cc: VHFcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Shortest time to 2m VUCC

So here is another question brought up my your
comment, why was 2 meter activity more in the 1980s? 
Seems like it is easier than ever (and cheaper than
ever) to get on 2 meter SSB, with the Icom 706/746
Yaesu FT100/897/857/847 combos out there at a great
price.

73s John W5TD

--- curtis roseman <croseman at usc.edu> wrote:

> VHFers:   
> 
> Below is a list of all the stations that have worked
> at least 100 grids in a 
> June or September ARRL VHF QSO Party.   Note: the
> June contest 
> started using grids in1985 and the September contest
> in 1983.   
> 
> Grids/          Call/           Class/        
> Section/      Contest/       Year/
> 121	W8VP	M	OH	JUNE	85
> 116	W9UD	M	IL	JUNE	85
> 114	AA9D	M	IL	SEPT	92
> 114	WS4F	M	NC	SEPT	86
> 111	W4BFB	M	TN	SEPT	86
> 110	W2SZ/1	M	WMA	SEPT	92
> 110	AA9D	M	IL	JUNE	87
> 108	N8FMD	M	WV	SEPT	92
> 108	WD8ISK	M	OH	JUNE	85
> 105	N8FMD	M	WV	JUNE	89
> 103	K8GP	M	WV	SEPT	98
> 102	WD8ISK	M	WV	SEPT	88
> 101	K8GP	M	WV	SEPT	01
> 
> In addition, OK1KIM worked 107 Grids on 2 meters in
> the 2005 CQWW 
> VHF July Contest.   (Results of the 2006 CQ contest
> are not out yet.)   
> I have not checked the January VHF SS--it is
> possible, but I think unlikely, 
> that 100 grids have been worked  on 2 in that one.
> 
> Notice the domination of the late 1980s in the above
> data.   Two meter
> activity was more widespread then.
> 
> 73,   Curt Roseman k9aks 
> 



 
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