[VHFcontesting] [amsat-bb] 5 Band VUCC & VUCC Triple-Play

[Les Rayburn]

Ed,

I understand your concerns, but want to clarify what I'm suggesting. 
There would be no contest activity on satellites or via the ISS. We are 
talking only about an expansion of the awards program that would
strictly follow the same guidelines as the VUCC Award. The VUCC Award 
has been available to satellite operators since it's inception. So no 
change there.

You might see a modest increase in digital activity on the ISS if the 
award was offered, but I doubt it would be significant. I'm floating the 
idea to AMSAT leadership now with the
hopes of wining their endorsement of the idea.

I do think that 5 Band VUCC and VUCC Triple-Play would generate an 
increase in contest activity and grid expeditions on VHF-UHF-MW bands. 
Thanks for raising these
valid concerns. Power management is a serious concern to everyone who 
operates the birds.



73,

Les N11LF




On 6/21/2013 12:06 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Les,
>
> Mostly fine with this, but...
>
> I would check with amsat leadership about contesting on satellites or 
> thru the ISS.  Contesting has generally been discouraged via satellite 
> for the same reason is not allowed on 146.52 or repeaters.  Satellite 
> time is very limited and with with only a single frequency on FM 
> satellites the spectrum is limited access.
>
> I'm just saying to test the idea with the satellite community.
>
> One of the main reasons digipeating thru ISS is nearly impossible is 
> the practice of many stations that run in "auto"mode where their 
> packet stations run continuously pinging away with no one winning.  
> There has been much comment on the amsat reflector on this.
>
> I am not currently active on satellite, but I am still subscribed to 
> the amsat-bb reflector and see these posts.
>
> Now if we could only license a bunch of moose and bears we could maybe 
> achieve VUCC here in AK :-)
> VUCC mw is probably the only possibility and finding seven grids to 
> work is still a huge challenge.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>
> At 08:17 PM 6/20/2013, Les Rayburn wrote:
>> After some persuasive arguments and constructive criticism from Paul 
>> K7CW, Sebastian W4AS, and Pete WA7JTM I've decided to modify my 
>> proposal for the creation of a new 5 Band VUCC Award.
>>
>>  * Eliminate the requirement to "reset to zero" all previous grids
>>    worked and confirmed.
>>  * Eliminate a requirement to include at least one of the low bands
>>    like 2 Meters or 6 Meters.
>>  * Insure that the 5 Band VUCC Award complies with all existing rules
>>    and requirements for VUCC Awards, with no changes needed. This will
>>    reduce the cost to administer the award, and minimize programming
>>    changes needed for Logbook of the World.
>>
>>
>> But Pete WA7JTM made some some great points about how activity has 
>> declined in the past few years as many experienced VHF operators have 
>> worked nearly all possible grids in their area. His suggestion caused 
>> me to do more research on other awards that the ARRL has recently 
>> implemented. Inspiration came in the form of the Worked All States 
>> (WAS) Triple-Play Award.
>>
>> So in addition to the 5 Band VUCC Award, I'm proposing the 
>> establishment of a VUCC Triple-Play Award that would allow operators 
>> to earn VUCC on any amateur band above 50 MHz provided that they could
>> work the required number of contacts for a basic VUCC Award, but on 
>> each of the three modes Phone, CW, and Digital.
>>
>> For example, you could earn VUCC Triple-Play on 432 by confirmed 
>> contacts with 50 Grids in Phone, CW, and Digital Modes. All previous 
>> grids confirmed in the past would count towards the new award, but
>> it would be a rare station that has already earned this award passed 
>> purely on past contacts.
>>
>>  * Insure that VUCC Triple-Play complies with the existing rules for
>>    VUCC, with no changes needed. Keep costs to administer low, and make
>>    programming in LoTW easier.
>>  * Allow all previous confirmed grids to count towards the new award.
>>  * Any digital mode would be acceptable. While I expect WSJT modes
>>    would dominate, PSK, RTTY, and others would qualify too.
>>  * Satellite operators could join the fun by digipeating through the
>>    International Space Station and digital satellites. Tough but 
>> possible!
>>
>>
>> This would serve my original purpose of immediately increasing on-air 
>> activity especially during contests when more grid-chasers would turn 
>> out hoping to pick up new grids. And everyone would be happy because 
>> they
>> wouldn't see a lifetime of accomplishments wiped clean by resetting 
>> to zero.
>>
>> I hope that others will continue to offer constructive criticism, and 
>> join me in writing their Division Directors and Vice Directors, along 
>> with their VUAC reps to support these ideas. VHF-UHF operation could 
>> use a shot in the arm, and this a great way to do it.
>>
>> Thanks to all who took the time to offer their thoughts on this 
>> proposal.
>>
>> -- 
>> -- 
>> 73,
>>
>> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>> 121 Mayfair Park
>> Maylene, AL 35114
>> EM63nf
>>
>> 6M VUCC #1712
>> AMSAT #38965
>> Grid Bandits #222
>> Southeastern VHF Society
>> Central States VHF Society Life Member
>> Six Club #2484
>>
>> Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
>>
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>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> http://www.kl7uw.com
> dubususa at gmail.com
> "Kits made by KL7UW"
>