[VHFcontesting] New to VHF/UHF Contesting: Next Steps

[Zack Widup]

I agree with all the things mentioned. When 50 MHz is open to some area of
the country during a contest, the SSB portion of the band (~50.125 to
50.300 MHz) sounds like 20 meters SSB during a contest. Wall-to-wall
signals. I usually can work at least 75% of them with 10 watts to a 4-el
long-spaced Yagi.

73, Zack W9SZ


On Fri, Apr 1, 2016 at 12:24 PM, Dan Evans <dan.evans at insightbb.com> wrote:

> It all depends on your goals for contesting.
>
> Personally, I agree with Mike, Duffey, and the rest.  At this point your
> best investment would be to pick up an all mode rig and reposition those
> yagis.  This change alone would likely quadruple the amount of contacts you
> will work, with a huge bump in score.
>
> There's nothing wrong with FM only contesting.  I generally pick up a dozen
> or so contacts every contest on FM.  But, even if you disregard the
> extended
> range of SSB and CW, there are still very few FM stations active during
> contests.  So your return on investment is always going to be limited.  I
> think if you want to stick to FM only, your best bet would be more bands.
> For the June contest, 6 meters is a NECESITY.  It's often difficult to find
> contacts on the higher bands in June due to everyone working sporadic E on
> 6.  Being within range of large population centers would make bands like
> 900
> Mhz and 1200, helpful as well.  After adding more bands, then I would look
> at maximizing the size of the yagis.   Bigger is better, but in a Rover /
> portable setup like yours, you will have to determine how much you can
> safely handle.  Adding amps would be a good next step, but it also adds a
> lot of complexity, most notably a huge increase in the power that must be
> supplied.  Batteries / generator / and such.
>
> Best of luck, and whatever you choose, have fun!!
>
> 73
> Dan
>
> --
> K9ZF
> Secretary, Clark County Amateur Radio Club,
> Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Clark County Indiana.
> EM78el
> The once and future K9ZF /R no budget Rover
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On
> Behalf
> Of Mike (KA5CVH) Urich
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2016 2:14 PM
> To: James Duffey
> Cc: VHF Contesting Reflector
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] New to VHF/UHF Contesting: Next Steps
>
> On Thu, Mar 31, 2016 at 12:19 PM, James Duffey <jamesduffey at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> probably go a long ways towards getting a used DC to daylight rig like
> an IC-706MKIIg.
>
> Mike adds
>
> That and used FT-100's, FT-857's & even the postage stamp display
> FT-897. All which will get you on 50/144/430 all mode for not much
> more than one amp and you have FM too.
>
> --
> Mike Urich KA5CVH
> http://ka5cvh.com
>
> 100 watts and a wire.
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