[VHFcontesting] VHF contesting newbie

[Rogers, Ron]

In addition Dick, here is the link to the rules for the ARRL June contest coming up. 

http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/june-vhf.html

This will give you some idea of what to expect and how the scoring works. As you see in the rules, you will need to know what Grid Square you are located in (probably EM80 ?). You will be asked for that info by stations you contact.


Ron 
WW8RR

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rogers, Ron
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:22 AM
To: w1rrd at columbus.rr.com; Steve Clifford
Cc: VHFcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHF contesting newbie

Dick,
Is your 706 a standard 706, a 706 MKII, or a 706 MKIIG ? If it is a MKIIG, then you can also enjoy 432MHz UHF activity.

Yes, during the VHF contest weekends (June 13th & 14th is the big one coming up) you should find numerous stations on 6 meters and 2 meters in or around Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Cinci, Detroit, IN and PA all running SSB around the frequencies Steve mentioned. 

Do you have access to Yagi beam antennas for 6 and 2 meters? If not, you might find you will have good luck simply starting out by using omni-directional horizontal loop antennas such as the "Squalo".


Ron
WW8RR


-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of w1rrd at columbus.rr.com
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:13 AM
To: Steve Clifford
Cc: VHFcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHF contesting newbie

Steve, thanks for taking the time to provide some information on this. I appreciate it.
I'm sure others will chime in as I've always found the ham community helpful to new folks.
Thanks again,

Dick, W1RRD

---- Steve Clifford <k4gun.r at gmail.com> wrote: 
> You chose a bad time to ask this question.  We're in the middle of a 
> very heated debate and a lot of guys are deleting a lot of messages 
> from this reflector.  Your question however, is a good one.  With your 
> 706, you've got a lot of possibilities.  The first thing you need are 
> antennas that are horizontally polarized.  Without that, you're not going to hear much.
> 
> There could be a book written about how to get started, but I'll just 
> give you one or two tips to get you pointed in the right direction.
> On contest day, you don't have to bother with the whole 6, 2 and .7 
> meter bands.  Use SSB and scan around 50.125 to 50.225, 144.150 to 
> 155.300 and 432.070 to about 432.170.  Most activity on 144 and 432 
> will be centered close to the calling frequencies (144.200 and 
> 432.100).  On 6 meters, things can get interesting if there is any E skip.
> 
> Like I said... there is a LOT to learn but this should get you started.
> 
> 73
> Steve
> K4GUN/R
> 
> On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 9:38 AM, <w1rrd at columbus.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> > I'm a newbie to VHF contesting and was wondering where I could read 
> > up on participating in these events. I've got a base 706, so i think 
> > I could operate with that. I'm located in Central Ohio so I'm not 
> > sure if there is much activitity in this area. Thanks for any help you can provide.
> >
> > Dick, W1RRD
> > _______________________________________________
> > VHFcontesting mailing list
> > VHFcontesting at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
> >

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