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

[nosigma at aol.com]

Bob,


Is the following correct?  I am guessing you were competing in SingleOperator Low Power and running SSB H pol on all bands except 222 MHz.  Since you were using an FM HT for 222 MHz youasked the operators you reached on SSB (who would have all their antenna's setto H Pol) to switch to FM on 222 so you could make the 222 MHz contact co-polarization(both H Pol).   I like the idea of generating contacts on thehigh traffic SSB side, another method of advertising but in real time.  Down side for an FM contester is that I wouldhave to have all my antenna's on H pol so I didnt take the 20-30dB cross pollosses when they responded.   This would make it nearly impossible to talkwith the majority of FM operators who would be on V Pol.   To get the best of both worlds I would needto have dual polarization antenna's or add addtional antenna's at H Pol.  I could also just set my antenna's at a 45degree angle and take the 3dB hit (loss factor =Cos^2[theta] and try to buy the3dB back with power and pre-amps. Something for me to think about.


Your comments appreciated.


73, John, KM4KMU



-----Original Message-----
From: Bob K0NR - email list <list at k0nr.com>
To: vhfcontesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 31, 2016 11:23 am
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] New to VHF/UHF Contesting: Next Steps

Good tip on antenna polarization.
I used to operate portable with an FT-817 on 6m, 2m and 70cm but "filled 
in" with an FM HT on 222 MHz.
I used a horizontal yagi on 222 MHz and almost every 222 MHz station in 
the area had no problem flipping over to FM to work me.
(Usually coordinating on 2m.) Activity on 222 MHz was sparse so they 
were glad to get the points.

Bob

On 3/30/2016 8:57 PM, Jarred Jackson wrote:
> Great FM only setup. I am fortunate enough to live in an area (Rochester NY) where we have more than average FM activity, but as far as I know, there are no FM-only rovers/portable ops with a setup like that (omnis are most common). One emerging  operating practice we have in WNY is to support FM-only contesters using horizontal polarization on 6m (50.300 MHz). Lots of home stations can do this and just about every rover can as well without running too high on SWR.  All you have to do is ask.


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