[VHFcontesting] FM Activity in Alabama

[Chet S]

Thanks Les, that does seem like a decent showing for the new category. 

I live in the NE but came from the Midwest so may have a different attitude
about the internet and other assistance. In addition to the learning
experience of constantly improving my station's capability, I really really
enjoy pulling a weak signal out of noise well enough to get the call and
info and for him to get mine. Every one of those contacts is a treasure.
Finding new grids because of my operating techniques is a double treasure. I
could make the weak case that the technical aspect and operating skill I am
developing is a good emergency resource, but I don't think it is all that
valuable nowadays. 

If I dialed up another station on the phone or accessed a real time listing
somewhere telling me when and where a particular station was then operating,
that would not be as much fun for me. It's still good for developing some
operating technique and keeping up interest I guess, but it's not my cup of
hooch, I'd be bored with the arranged marriages. Turn loose the internet
coordinated robo stations and collect your score later. But I do think there
should be a separate category for single operator stations wanting to use
assistance. 

73
Chet, N8RA

What's up with the reflector, all messages do not seem to be getting thru to
it?



-----Original Message-----
From: Les Rayburn [mailto:les at highnoonfilm.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 2:57 PM
To: Chet S
Cc: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] FM Activity in Alabama

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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