[VHFcontesting] VHF Contesting newbie

Todd Sprinkmann sprinkies at excel.net
Thu May 28 07:36:28 PDT 2009


   Hello Dick, 

   Good to hear of your interest in doing some V/UHF Contesting. 
   If I can help in specific ways, feel free to ask away.  This is 
what I do for dozens of guys in my backyard.  I don't enjoy dead 
contests, so I do what I can to change it for the better. My website 
www.kc9bqa.com has a lot of posts geared specifically toward newbies, so if 
you have some time, scroll thru the titles there and see what clicks for you. 

   I got started contesting in late 2003, and it took a lot of time 
to figure out how to proceed.  So I have empathy for those who read 
thru a reflector like this and may think, "Sheesh, I want to get 
involved in THIS?"  (said with a grin) 

   K4GUN gave a very good thumbnail sketch.  I'm terrible at condensing 
things, but I have the best of intentions.  :) 

   I also want to gently add that I think K4GUN might have had a typo when he 
talked about 2 meter contesting activity going up to 155.300.  Around 
here, 144.150-144.260 is about the limit.  144.270-144.300 is where you might 
hear some propagation beacons on 2m. 

   If you already have an antenna for 144 SSB, there's also a net on Thursday 
nights out of EM78, SE IN, K9ZF net control.  It's on 144.250 and I believe 
it starts at 0030 UTC. 

   If you have further questions, ask away. 

   I'd also be curious to know if there are any Ohio-based VHF/UHF groups or 
email reflectors like we have in WI with Badger Contesters 
(www.badgercontesters.org) or in IL/IN/MO with Society of Midwest Contesters 
(www.w9smc.com) or in MN/Dakotas with Northern Lights Radio Society 
(www.nlrs.org) That NLRS site has a lot of great content; really got me 
thinking when I was new. 

   I do work into Ohio fairly well in contests, especially with stations with 
higher beams.  I can tell you that there's plenty of contest activity in and 
around your area.  Perhaps some of those folks will contact you off-list. 

   Good luck, 73, 
   Todd  KC9BQA   EN63ao   40 N of Milwaukee 
   50 thru 2304 (bands I have) 
   http://www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates 




More information about the VHFcontesting mailing list