[VHFcontesting] changed to Increasing VHF activity

[Dan Evans]

All very good ideas Zack.

I gave a Rover presentation at the local club a few years ago.  It was very well received.  It was just different enough to get everyone's attention, I guess.  Anyway, they requested I do a few more presentations afterwords.  I done a general VHF contesting, and then another on the Indiana QSO Party.  I even picked up a few contacts from locals in the next couple of contests, but I didn't seem to get the "hook firmly set."

I remember my start.  After getting my ticket in 1992, I put up a 2m FM antenna, and an antenna for 10 meters.  I made a few contacts on the repeaters in the area, but quickly picked up the contesting bug on 10 meter SSB.  I was still working on my general at that time.   Somewhere along in there I saw an article about VHF contesting.  It was likely in QST, as I bought 25 years worth of back issues right after getting my license (my XYL still complains about it...).

Even after picking up the bug, it took me a few years to get a 2 meter all mode rig.  But when I found a good deal on a used IC-271A, I was hooked.

The moral of this long winded story is this;  A few well written magazine articles could also help to boost VHF Contest activity.  January is not a very good contest to introduce rookies.  Around here, the bands are typically flat, and participation is pretty low.  However, there is plenty of time to write a few stories before the Spring Sprints and June VHF.  We have some very talented writers on these lists, when is the last time you submitted an article to one of the mags?  How about eHam.net?  

You say you don't like the ARRL?  Submit one to CQ!  You say you don't like CQ?  Submit one to QST!  You say you don't like either?  Then go away, you are probably an old grouch anyway! hi hi...

What about SSB nets in your area?  Do you check in?  Is there one?  If not, why not start one?

Not much of a writer anymore, but I do what I can;-)

73
Dan
 
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>________________________________
> From: Zack Widup <w9sz.zack at gmail.com>
>To: VHF Contesting Reflector <vhfcontesting at contesting.com> 
>Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 2:02 PM
>Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Magic in the September VHF Contest
> 
>
>Increasing participation ... it's going to have to happen by bringing new
>people in. Ken W9GA had the right idea in the 10 GHz contest last weekend.
>He had a couple ham friends who aren't microwavers ride along with him as
>he worked people in the contest. They rode along with me and Pete K9PW for
>a while. Hopefully the bug bit them.
>
>I've done talks at a couple local ham clubs about VHF operation and
>contesting. Guess I need to do more. And invite people to see my station in
>operation. I got interested in just that way decades ago when I visited
>Jack W9YF (now a SK) working 2 meter meteor scatter.
>
>73, Zack W9SZ
>
>
>