[VHFcontesting] FM Contesting

[Les Rayburn]

We normally monitor FM frequencies and pick up a few points during the 
contests too--but I'd really like to see more leadership from ARRL on 
this front. For
this new category to be successful, I think one or both of the 
suggestions below need to happen:

1.) The ARRL should publish recommendations of two or more frequencies 
that should be utilized during the contest to concentrate activity, and 
give a reasonable chance of
success for the newcomers. Notice I did not say "restrict", "limit", 
etc---I said, "recommend".

2.) Drop the restriction against using the national simplex frequency of 
146.52. That rule made a lot of sense during the 70's, 80's, and maybe 
even the 90's when FM
was a dominant mode, and the NSF was in heavy demand. But alas, those 
days are gone.

If anything hearing contest activity on the NSF might actually encourage 
more usage of simplex, bring newcomers into contesting, and allow ARES 
groups a better
opportunity to exercise their simplex capabilities.

Sean and the gang in Newington generally do a great job--but I can't 
help thinking this is a kind of "half-measure" that should be corrected. 
It's too late to get it into
QST, but recommended frequencies could be published on the ARRL web 
site, and the ARRL letter before the contest. Sean?


-- 
73,

*Les Rayburn, N1LF*
EM63nf
121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114
6M VUCC #1712
Grid Pirates #222
Life Member Central States VHF

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