[VHFcontesting] ARES Groups Seizing on New "FM Only" Category in VHF Contests

[Les Rayburn]

Thought I'd share an e-mail that I received from our local county 
Emergency Coordinator (EC) today that showcases how
some ARES groups are planning to use the new "FM Only" category that 
ARRL recently added to VHF Contests.

We'll have several groups activating a "mini-Simulated Emergency Test 
(SET)" during the contest, opening up Emergency Operation Centers (EOC), 
and even doing some hilltopping.

Hopefully more ARES groups will spread the word, and see this as an 
opportunity to test their FM Simplex capabilities, which are so 
important in an emergency.
-- 
73,

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

WPC4LF Popular Communications Monitor ID


Just a reminder that the ARRL VHF contest is coming up, see details 
below. I would like to use this opportunity for some needed ARES 
testing/training, and would like to have the EMA and Red Cross stations 
manned for at least part of the time. Do I have any volunteers for those 
tasks? Please e-mail me.

Also, if any of you plan to "hilltop" as rovers, I'd like for you to 
contact me. I'd like to use the opportunity to see our capabilities by 
having you report location, frequency, power used, antenna type, 
contacts made (plus distance, if possible), etc. If you can help me out 
on this, please let me know.

I want to do a mini-SET during the contest, no scenario as such, just 
testing our capabilities regarding simplex-only work. The plan is to 
have as many folks as possible working as category 3.1.5 - FM Only, or 
any of the 3.2 - Rover categories. Contest rules in PDF format can be 
found here 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20Rules%20PDFs/2013/2013-JANVHF-Rules.pdf>.

Please let me know if you can participate, and how.

Thanks for all that you do for Shelby County!

-- 
*/73!/*
*/Terry Dillard, KI4YZI/*
*Secretary, Shelby County Amateur Radio Club*
*Emergency Coordinator, **Shelby County ARES*
*Regular E-mail*: KI4YZI at arrl.net <mailto:KI4YZI at arrl.net>

//

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Les Rayburn* <les at highnoonfilm.com <mailto:les at highnoonfilm.com>>
Date: Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 7:29 PM
Subject: January ARRL VHF Contest-Perfect for ARES Practice Too!


JANUARY VHF CONTEST-PERFECT FOR ARES PRACTICE TOO!
===============================================================

The ARRL has added a new "FM Only" category to their VHF Contests, 
starting with the January VHF contest on Saturday January 19th. The 
contest starts at 1900 UTC (1 PM Central) and runs until Sunday night at 
3:59 UTC (9:59 PM Central)

You'll find lots of "weak signal" VHF operators using high power and 
sensitive antennas working hard to work your station on FM. No special 
gear, no big expense, you can operate in this contest and possibly win a 
certificate using just the radios you already own.

It's also a perfect opportunity for ARES, SKYWARN, ALERT, and CERT teams 
to test their ability to communicate /without using a repeater/, just as 
you might have to in an actual emergency. Want to have even more fun? 
Drive or hike to a local hilltop and you can exercise your deployment 
capabilities--it's like "Field Day In the Cold!".

You'll find lots of VHF operators hoping to work YOU! Try transmitting a 
"CQ Contest" on the following frequencies:

*146.550 Mhz **Simplex
**
**146.580 Mhz* *Simplex*

You'll also find activity on the other VHF bands in FM Mode, including:

52.525 (6 Meters)

223.5 (222 Band)

446.0 (440 Band)

Remember under the new rules, you're limited to 100 watts or less, but 
that means you'll be on equal footing with a lot of small stations. A 
gain antenna (like a beam or Yagi) can really help, and a high location 
is a big plus too. You'll need to know your "grid square" as that is 
part of the exchange of reports with other stations.

For most in the Birmingham area, your grid square is going to be EM63. 
Huntsville is EM62, while Auburn is EM72. Check with local hams or on 
the ARRL web site if you're not sure. VHF Operators on the air will be 
happy to help as well.

Mark it on your calendars and plan to have a lot of fun! See you on FM!