[VHFcontesting] FM Activity in Alabama

[Les Rayburn]

Chet,

I made a total of 12 contacts on 2 Meter FM, 9 on 440, and 4 on 220 FM. 
None of them involved operators passing the microphone around. I did 
work the Shelby County EC both at the operations center (W4SHL) and also 
from his mobile on his return trip home using his own call sign. But 
these were two different radios, in two different locations--totally 
legal and legitimate.

That may not sound like a lot of activity, but here in the Southeast, a 
dozen contacts on any band is nothing to sneeze at. I marvel at reports 
from California and the Northeast where there are so many more VHF 
operators. The typical "205 Morning Net" on streaming audio would amount 
to more contacts than I might make it a typical "season" on 2 Meters 
outside of contacts.

I often think that these regional differences have a very negative 
influence on rules making in regards to our contacts. For instance, most 
of the resistance to Internet aids and "spotting" comes from the NE 
where such tactics seem completely unnecessary. While here in the South, 
anything that would generate some activity would be welcome. Hours pass 
during a typical contest without a single contact being made.

Without WSJT the overnight hours would be completely useless after about 
9PM. More FM activity is most welcome here!

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








> Les,
>
> What is the number of contacts you made on 2M and 440 FM?
> Do you know if it was different stations, or one station passing the mic
> around?
>
> 73
> Chet, N8RA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf
> Of Les Rayburn
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 2:01 PM
> To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] FM Activity in Alabama
>
>
> I'm happy to report that efforts to increase contest activity using the new
> "FM Only Category" during the January ARRL VHF Contest was a resounding
> success here in Alabama.
>
> We had two ARES groups who deployed for several hours on Saturday. One group
> opened the Emergency Operations Center in Shelby County at the EMA. Another
> group went "hilltopping" a local high school with an elevated location. They
> deployed a 25 foot mast and directional antennas (Arrow type Yagi's) to test
> their ability to operate simplex over great distances.
>
> One big surprise was the number of QSO's made on 440 MHz simplex. In past
> attempts at involving FM operators, we had enjoyed almost no success on 440
> due to low power, poor locations, and ineffective antennas. This year we
> worked nearly as many on 440 as on 2 Meters.
>
> 6 Meter FM activity here was literally nonexistent. Anyone who had Six
> Meters seemed to be using a "DC to Daylight" rig and would simply switch to
> SSB to make the contact. There is very little 6 Meter FM repeater activity
> here, so it's not too surprising. With no E-skip during the contact we
> didn't make a single contact on 6 FM.
>
> The real treats were three contacts late on Sunday night (9 PM, one hour
> before the end of the contest) when I still heard operators hanging in there
> and calling CQ on 146.55 and 146.58.
>
> I also learned of a FM simplex long range net here in Alabama that operates
> on Sunday nights at 8PM. Previously, I had been unaware of it at all. I plan
> to become active on that net, and try to encourage this cadre of well
> equipped operators to join the fun in June. Hopefully CQ Communications will
> follow suit and add an "FM Only" category to their contest as well. It's a
> great way to draw in newcomers.
>
> But if only works if weak signal operators embrace the mode, monitor those
> frequencies to give out contacts, and do some outreach work in advance of
> the events. ARES groups are a great place to mine for newcomers.
>
> Thanks to everyone involved at the ARRL for this great rules change!
>
> --
> 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
>
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