[VHFcontesting] VHF En Vogue; issues and

[Joshua M. Arritt]

On 2/9/2014 5:49 PM, Duane - N9DG wrote:
> This lack of curiosity to try things like VHF weak signal strikes me as a side effect of amateur radio having been promoted for a few decades now as being a utilitarian communications "ends" vs. being it a lifelong continuing journey focused on propagation challenges and technology..
>
> Duane
> N9DG

We have at this moment several counts against V activity that have been 
outlined:

P1.) DC-Daylight includes HF, which at the moment (good solar activity) 
provides the culturally-demanded "instant gratification" expected of 
"technology" in the modern era.
P2.) Poor paper-chaser bait (VUCC as stepchild syndrome).
P3.) Dearth of good compelling and well-delivered 
advertising/articles/published works which highlight the _intrinsic_ 
rewards of riding V/U propagation.
P4.) "Poor economy" wag = declined income = more labor hours to make 
bills = far fewer play dollars/hours (keeping me off the air more often 
than not since 2010!!).

... I'll add a few:
P5.) Ubiquitous broadband internet as Entertainment Delivery platform is 
eroding hours from all other activities among a swath of demographics -- 
a trend which may level off as the on-demand shine dulls a bit (see P1).
P6.) Local QRN condx (? maybe a minor factor, but I argue SNR on V/U is 
critical to enjoyment) increasing as little consumer noisemakers become 
re-produce like so many hares.




Suggestions**( I only ask we keep it positive/additive for 2 days; 
please try to add to this list _constructively_ -- THEN when we've 
collected all the dumb ideas, us curmudgeon detractors, self-included, 
can RIP it apart with long negative diatribes on why none of it will 
work at all! ;)  ):


***** For the "NowGeneration" op candidates, pull V/U operations down to 
low-common-denominator pop culture -- easier than ever:

S1.) Pitch new non-traditional awards -- things like an 
Instagram/Facebook/etc photo contest of Rover/Hilltop Portable set-up;  
Play the new social junkfood trends to grab the younger audience 
attention.  Possibilities here are wide and far!




****SDR is the future -- and for those of us /already/ in the future 
(like _you_), it's the present.....  and mobile-pocket SDR is close on 
the horizon:

S2.) Make monitoring portable/remote-able.  Push development of SDR V/U 
performance in small, efficient packages (already suggested).

S3.) Push SDR application development for mobile device 
interface/operation from remote and alerting of signal patterns 
consistent with "activity", "propagation", maybe an "auto-beacon-seek" 
or other indicators that help (nigh, they just do the work) find Qs on V/U.

S4.) Push hilltop remote-base installation of the above mentioned rigs 
in terrain-challenged areas.


**** "Community grass-roots organizing" might move the S-meter needle a 
bit (hihi... but seriously):

S5.) Strategically encourage state QSO party sponsors (again) to include 
V/U, as just bands; as band-point-mults (Like June's point scheme);  as 
full category/categories (QRP, Multi-Op, Limited/Unlimited, 
whatever)...  perhaps best to start that in the populated states where 
V/U has activity, and are sched in times of year where propagation 
enhancements are likely to make a "model" for other {ST}QP organizers to 
gaze upon.   Realizing this has been done w/ limited success, but times 
are changing....  ask: do these events see suffering/stagnating 
participation numbers in the modern era of digital distraction too?

S6.) For the next generation V/U op: V/U Rover-Super-Hero/Heroine/Team 
comic book series?  Think STEM.  How can V/U operations mesh with 
educational initiatives at the /LOCAL/ level?


**** Passive-aggressive:

S8.) Wait for the sun to quiet down.  ;)


More...?




   73,
   - Josh / KF4YLM