[VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operating

Tue Feb 11 22:46:23 EST 2014

I have been watching this thread for a while, and thinking about my own 
opinion as to what is going one.  As others have stated, the amount of 
activity on VHF and UHF should be going up, as it is easier and cheaper 
today to get on 2m and 70cm than ever before with all of the HF/VHF/UHF rigs 
out there.  If one looks around much, they should be able to find one of 
those for $500 or so.

One idea I have for the decline has to do with the internet, but not the way 
most people think of.  I think the problem is that many new hams turn to 
QRZ.COM and EHAM.NET to get their elmering advice.  I don't read too many of 
the QRZ forums, but do get on eham.net quite often so I know what is talked 
about there, and much of it is pretty bad information.  Here are some 
examples:

1. When a new ham asks about HF radios, they are always steered towards the 
Icom 718.  I still don't understand the cult following for that radio. I 
always try to steer them towards the Yaesu FT450 instead, as it is a better 
radio overall, has many more built in features that cost more (or are 
unavailable) on the 718, and most importantly, includes 6m.

2. New hams are told to avoid buying used equipment as you are "buying 
someone elses problems".  Funny how I have worked 321 DXCC entities, 6m WAS 
and WAC, VUCC on 6, 2, and satellites, and 40 states on 2m using someone 
elses problems.  Anyways, as pointed out earlier, there is only 1 2m 
monoband SSB rig being made right now, and I am sure most didn't even know 
that-the MFJ 9402.  So, given that new hams are steered away from used 
equipment, they wont be looking for an inexpensive 2m all mode rig to add a 
band to their collection.

3. If a ham expresses interest in a HF/VHF/UHF rig, they are told instead to 
get an HF rig and a dualband FM radio so they don't have all their eggs in 
one basket-meaning if one breaks they have the other one to use.  It is 
never assumed that maybe they wanted the HF/VHF/UHF rig for 2m and 70cm 
SSB/CW.  However, it is a sad fact that probably 80% of hams with a 
HF/VHF/UHF rig have never used the 2m/70cm side on anything other than FM.

4. When questions come up about 6m they are usually told that it is dead all 
of the time, and you listen to static, and might get a several minute 
opening if you get lucky.  Same thing is said about the higher bands.

Time was that when a new ham had questions about something like 6m they 
would ask at the local radio club, and would get directed to the local ham 
who did 6 meters, so they could go to his or her shack and see it in action. 
Now they get on the internet instead and get filled up with information for 
someone who is a legend in their own mind, but usually has no idea about 
what they are talking about.

I think there is also the perception that you have to have large antennas 
and towers, and big amps to do anything on 2m and above.  I have worked 40 
states on 175 grids on 2m using 160 watts or less, and nothing larger than a 
Cushcraft 13B2 mounted on my roof, and that includes 1 EME QSO.  I try to 
mention my station limitations whenever sending out activity reports so 
people know what can be done with smaller stations.

We also need to find ways to rebrand outselves.  Calling ourselves "weak 
signal operators" doesn't do anything to attract new hams.  Who wants to 
spend money to get on something with weak signals.  Why is it when a ham 
runs 1.5KW to 8 stacked yagis on 2m they are weak signal, but when someone 
uses a 2 watt HT with a negative gain antenna it is not weak signal?  I 
don't even like the term "DC to Daylight rig" because first off it is 
inaccurate, and secondly, it seems to have a somewhat derrogotry quality to 
it, implying that the rig is a poor compromise on all bands (new hams are 
also told this on eham as well).  I have worked quite a few countries, 
grids, and states on a supposedly compromised rig.

If you read the QST reviews, these HF/VHF/UHF rigs are always referred to as 
for mobile use only, or as a secondary/back up rig.  It is never mentioned 
that they could be the primary rig in a shack, even though they are in many 
ham's shack, including mine.  The on-line forums also believe that new hams 
are too confused or dense to use a menu driven rig-hence the call for them 
all to get Icom 718.

If you have been to your local radio club recently, I dont mean a speciality 
club, but the local one where new hams are likely to show up, I would bet 
that when discussions of 2m and 70cm come up, FM and APRS are mentioned over 
SSB by a ratio of 50 to 1 or more.  Most clubs seem to think that 2m and up 
should only be used for emergency communcations and parade chasing on 2m and 
APRS.

I am sure that there are plenty of reasons also, but these are just a few 
thoughts.

73 John AF5CC
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Laws" <plaws at plaws.net>
To: "vhf contesting" <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 12:16 AM
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operating

> On Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 3:33 PM, Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:
>> I've worked in advertising and marketing most of my adult life, so I 
>> often
>> tend to view things as marketing problems.
>
> They often are ...
>
>> The league has failed to ever make VUCC anything more than the kid sister 
>> of
>> DXCC. They've failed to add "variations" of the award such as 5 Band 
>> VUCC,
>> or "Rover VUCC" that might encourage more activity. They've failed to 
>> offer
>
>
> I'm hoping against hope that when the top hireling at HQ retires that
> there will be a housecleaning.  I think there are too many Cycle 19
> types there and I think it hurts the organization.  Look at their IT
> messes, for example (BTW, adding something to LOTW in its current
> state is NON-trivial, which is part of its problem - let's agree to
> leave LOTW out of the discussion!).
>
> The award program in general needs help, IMHO.  They've made some
> tweaks to how you apply for awards via the web and they have been
> smart, IMHO, but there needs to be more.  There should never be a
> reason to send cards to HQ, for example.  ALL that should be handled
> in the field (though I suspect >80% is already).  In addition to the
> computer-generated-and-not-always-styled-the-same paper awards, there
> should be an "up-sell" of a hand-created certificates (on better
> paper), maybe with a raised embossing or something.  Easy to do,
> revenue-positive I would think (or don't do it!).  And yes, plaques,
> as someone mentioned.
>
> Multiple band endorsements for VUCC is another good idea, but just
> don't go insane with them like the WAS program - want a WAS 'phone AM
> 15m all-Novice QRP award?  You can get it.  Well, actually you can't
> because Novices can't use AM or any phone on 15, but you know what I
> mean.  It's dumb, IMHO, but you can get those silly awards.  DXCC at
> least is a little more rational with 11 bands and 5 modes.
>
> So yes, more emphasis on VUCC would be good.  Anyone have an "On the
> ultra-highs" presentation in the can they'd like to share?
>
>
> -- 
> Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!
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