[VHFcontesting] VHF Infusion

[Jerry]

Its a 'tough sell' any way you look at it !  When I was first licensed 
30yrs ago.. I was interested in 2M SSB/CW..and my response from the Club 
Members was 'Nobody uses that'..2M is used for FM and Repeaters Only !  
So, years later..(and a few more $$) I decided to 'give it a go anyways 
!  When they heard I was working numerous grids on 2M, 6M E was a 
'Treat' too !  They all decided to try it ! When they would call me on 
local club Rptr..and say "I don't hear anything" (but they could hear my 
Rigs in the background..)!
Most just 'Gave Up' !  Probably using HF Antenna's, etc..!  When I 
explained what I was using, offered help..they went back to HF and their 
Vee's, Tri-banders and Dipoles !
Has always been 'Very Quiet' on the bands for me in these parts !  I 
once mentioned some EME contacts on 2M using a 300W Mirage.."Wow..you 
should have heard all the "No One needs 300W on 2M" !   Then, fortunate 
for me..a fella Op' who was somewhat informed of that stuff.. was 
nothing but 'Compliments' ! "Never knew anyone in these parts did that 
stuff..Please keep us posted" ! He then went on and explained to the 
Group that some use Kw's and More on 2M... Jerry is 'enjoying the part 
of the Band we never even considered' !
Numerous requests for Club Demo's, etc.. That's what makes the 'Off 
Season' I guess we can call it.. 'Fun' !
Jerry
VE6CPP
DN39or
p.s. Shared a CW QSO a couple years back with EA7KW IM67xi (4952.1 mi 
(7969.7 km) on CW.. most came back with 'I don't know CW..so can't copy 
that' ! :-(
On 9/16/2013 4:03 PM, Mike (KA5CVH) Urich wrote:
> On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 3:29 PM, Rick R <rick1ds at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> For several years, we have tried to have a "VHF Beginners" course that was free as part of our annual VHF Conference. Other clubs have done the same. It takes time and energy to encourage new VHF'ers, and once they get started, to get them up on higher bands.
> Mike wrote
>
> Before I would try to move them up to higher bands I would first get
> them operating other modes.  Making 100 q's on 50.125 would be a whole
> lot more exciting than 2 on 1290 FM Just sayin'
>
> http://ka5cvh.com/radio/vhf/contest.htm
>