[VHFcontesting] VHF/UHF Activity

[Jim Worsham]

Check out the Lowe's loop that was in a recent QST (anyone know the issue?).
Several guys around here are using them and they work well.  You can build
one with a few bucks worth of stuff from a hardware store or home center.

73
Jim, W4KXY 

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
mattpatt at 1starnet.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 10:58 PM
To: John Geiger
Cc: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHF/UHF Activity

I recently helped a local ham install a stacked pair of 2m loops in his
atic.
He was under the impression you had to have a big yagi to be able to work 2m
ssb.  It took me loaning my set of loops that I use on my rover to him
before he was convinced at how well a stacked set of loops actually perform.
Again, it's not a 17el but it's better than nothing and it got the guy on
the air.

Which reminds me, somewhere I saw a article on how to homebrew a 2m
horizontal loop using a metal clothes hanger.  If someone knows what I'm
talking about and could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.
I'm thinking about doing a presentation at our next club meeting and I'm
looking for a easy to build antenna for 2m ssb as I'm going to try and get
more people interested in the band.

73 Matt
W5LL



Quoting John Geiger <johngeig at yahoo.com>:

>
> --- Eric NM5M <nm5m at aol.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hams across the country whine about the lack of activity on the VHF 
>> and UHF bands by new hams.  If you want to increase activity it's 
>> quite simple just do the following:
>>
>> 1. Make presentations to local clubs introducing this aspect of the 
>> hobby to prospective amateurs (who cares if they have been licensed 
>> 30 minutes or 50 years as long as they get on the air)
>
> Tried that with limited success.  There is alot of misinformation 
> about the VHF/UHF bands to overcome.
> Many people could care less about operating at all, except for 
> emergency or chasing storms.  Those things are important, but it is 
> unlikely that we will ever interest those individuals in weak signal 
> work.  Still it is worth a shot.
>
>
>> 2.  Stop listening 24/7 to 144.200 and make some noise.  Activity 
>> creates activity.
>
> Good point.  It is called the calling frequency, not the listening 
> frequency.  Absolutely nothing wrong with making CQs on 144.200.
>
>>
>> 3.  Make local or regional operating activities to stimulate 
>> activity, I can tell you from personal experience this does wonders 
>> to get folks on the VHF bands.
>>
> Tried this locally with nets, operating awards, etc.
> Really didn't work.  Not sure why, but it didn't.
>
>  4.  Educate old and new hams on how to get on the
>> VHF and above bands with indoor or hidden antennas as most live in 
>> deed restricted areas and believe that it takes a ton of steel and 
>> aluminum to enjoy those bands.
>>
> Good point. Indoor antennas can be very effective on 6m.  Got a VUCC 
> with one.  Any antenna is better than no antenna, but also be truthful 
> in presenting antenna theory and construction.  A directional antenna 
> with gain will outperform an omnidirectional antenna with no gain.  
> Encourage yagis, even small ones, if possible.  Definitely point out 
> that horizontal polarization is needed at 2m and above.  Either 
> polarization will work on 6m during Es openings, but for longer local 
> work during flat conditions, you also want horizontal polarization.
>
> 73s john W5TD
>
>
>
>
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