[VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operations

[GeorgeF]

Why I have given up the hobby, maybe some people can learn from those 
who hung-it-up before there is no one left to turn off the lights......

Many of you know or have worked me in the contests (KI4FIA EL99mc). I 
was very active on all bands from 160 meter to 1296 MHz. I loved CW, I 
loved contesting, I loved DXing and I loved CW & SSB on 2 meters and above.

For the last few years of my VHF/UHF contesting I noticed a huge decline 
in activity.  During times of no contesting 144.200 was as silent as a 
radio working a dummy load!  I tried to get on email lists and promote 
VHF+ SSB/CW, my emails were meet with nothing but the same silence I 
heard on 144.200.

I was, am, no longer, really doesn't matter a member of a famous VHF+ 
club FLWSS.  When I would ask questions on their group it was rare I 
would get an answer.  I know it wasn't just me because I've seen other 
ask radio related questions and were meant with the same silence. The 
funny thing is that if someone was to send a test email they'll get 
several replies, if someone wants to talk about a new logo they'll get 
several replies, if someone cracks a stupid joke the flood gates open 
wide with tons of replies.  Seems like everyone wants to talk about 
non-radio related topics while the radio related questions are meant 
with less responce (if any at all). And I'll never forget the joker on 
that list who sent me an FU email when I happened to mention that 1 VHF 
contest I was going to work the contest on CW only just for the fun of 
it.  I said I would work split mode for those without a cw keyer.  WOW 
did I get a response. 1 member sent me a FU letter about how dare you 
letter since I mentioned the word CW.  Oh, yeah he really did use the FU 
this and FU that in his email....

Another thing that I really didn't care for in the VHF+ area of the 
hobby was you sit days and days listening to 144.200, you finally hear a 
faint signal, first in weeks, then before you get a chance to work him, 
he'll work someone else.  This isn't a bad thing, I don't mind waiting 
my turn.  BUT THEN they'll start running the bands (220,432,etc).  Then 
you never hear them again.  That is really upsetting during a VHF+ 
contest when there is very little activity. I know of several people in 
Florida who gave up the VHF+ part of the hobby because of the "run the 
band" practice.

There isn't 1 think that caused me to quit, it was a combination of all 
of the above and a few more.

I have sold all my equipment I used on the VHF+ bands before everybody 
quits the hobby and my equipment would become worthless. I even sold off 
most of my HF stuff.  Here is a picture of my shack before I started 
selling:
http://milaircomms.com/shack.html  Today I am down to my CW Key, IC-756 
Pro III and all my scanners. Actually have a few more scanners now as 
I've returned to what got me into the radio hobby. That is monitoring 
Military Aircraft Communications.  A lot more activity on the MilAir UHF 
bands than the Ham Radio VHF+ bands!  My ham license is set to expire in 
about a month.  Seriously don't think I'll renew.

Just thought I would share the reasons why I quit the hobby and maybe 
some one can learn from them....
George - KI4FIA
www.MilAirComms.com






On 2/9/2014 12:35, Les Rayburn wrote:
> 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?
>
>
>