[VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operations

[Les Rayburn]

K5QE selling off microwave gear and focusing on limited multi-operator 
contesting? I can't help but wonder if this is another bellwether of how 
weak signal operation on VHF/UHF bands are on the decline. My personal 
experience is very limited, with less than six years on the high bands. 
But I have studied the history of weak signal VHF/UHF operation and 
believe there is genuine cause for concern.

In our local area, the morning nets that were common just a few years 
ago have faded away. The calling frequencies can be monitored for hours 
or even days without so much as a QSO. Contest activity, especially 
during the Sprints and January ARRL Contest is in decline too. Contacts 
above 432 MHz are difficult and 222 isn't much better.

It seems to be a chicken and the egg situation--where the lack of 
activity makes it harder for stations to justify the expense and effort 
in maintaining microwave bands. And since there are fewer large stations 
operating microwave, it's harder for rovers to justify investment in 
these bands as well. The transition to digital TV as killed off most 
amateur television operation, and cell phones have cut into the usage of 
repeaters. Many in my area are unoccupied entirely.

The explosion of "DC to Daylight" rigs have failed to dramatically 
increase participation in weak signal operation. New classes and 
categories have met with only limited success. Efforts of local 
amateurs, such as the "205 Group" have had some success, but they are 
difficult to sustain, especially when they are so heavily tied to the 
efforts of one or two individuals.

Two areas that have shown growth are operation on the Magic Band. Six 
Meter operation has grown considerably in the past few years, especially 
with more EME activity on this band than ever before. Another area that 
seems to have momentum is ARES and Emergency Communications operation, 
including the growth of simplex nets.

But it's clear that something needs to be done to help protect our 
frequency allocations, and expand the pool of weak signal operators. I 
wonder if other VHF operators share my concerns, and have suggestions on 
how to reverse the situation?

Some ideas that have potential:

1.) A renewed effort by the ARRL to expand and promote the VHF-UHF 
Century Club (VUCC) Award. Elevating the prestige of this award among 
all amateurs, and enticing more HF operators to "move up" the bands has 
the greatest potential to increase our ranks.

2.) SDR Technology. A single SDR transceiver that could cover 50 MHz to 
1296 MHz could be a real game changer. Especially if "linked" to a 
series of modular PA amps that could provide useable power levels of 20 
watts or more could rapidly increase operation on bands like 222 and 902 
were transverters are currently required.

It would also greatly simplify station design and maintenance. It's 
doubtful that so called "appliance operators" will ever be attracted to 
the bands above 432, but we do need to simply entry into this part of 
the hobby. I've discovered that transverters are very intimidating to 
those who are new to this game.

3.) The China Syndrome. If manufacturers such as Wouxun, Baofeng, etc. 
could be contacted and encouraged to develop low cost rigs that included 
weak signal modes like USB and CW, that could have a major impact as 
well. I believe that many hams would love to try out 2 Meter SSB but 
don't want to spend $600 to do so. They also don't want to buy an older 
single band rig that may not work well, or be impossible to get repaired.

But I believe that they would spend $250-$300 for a dual band rig that 
offered USB/FM/CW.

If they offered rigs for the more obscure bands like 222, 902, and 1296, 
I think those would be very popular as well. Lots of market factors at 
work here too...since most of Asia doesn't have access to 222, but 
manufacturing costs have gotten low enough to make the growing US market 
alone viable. Anyone have an inside contact at one of these companies?



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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