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

[Bob K0NR - email list]

John,
Typically, I was operating Single Operator, Portable (AKA QRP). I'd work 
other stations on 2m ssb, 6m ssb, 70cm ssb, depending on what bands they 
had. Most of the folks in my area that have 222 MHz are set up for ssb, 
often with some very nice yagi antennas. So we'd pick a 222 MHz 
frequency and work there on FM with horizontal antennas. Sometimes it 
was low in the band to accommodate their station but often we'd just use 
223.5 MHz. Occasionally, I'd run across a vertically polarized 222 MHz 
FM station and would work them with the horizontal antenna (or I'd dig 
out some kind of vertical to put on the handheld).

Bob K0NR

On 4/2/2016 11:23 AM, nosigma at aol.com wrote:
> Bob,
>
> Is the following correct?  I am guessing you were competing in Single 
> Operator Low Power and running SSB H pol on all bands except 222 MHz.  
> Since you were using an FM HT for 222 MHz you asked the operators you 
> reached on SSB (who would have all their antenna's set to 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 the high traffic SSB side, another method of advertising but in 
> real time.  Down side for an FM contester is that I would have to have 
> all my antenna's on H pol so I didnt take the 20-30dB cross pol losses 
> when they responded.   This would make it nearly impossible to talk 
> with the majority of FM operators who would be on V Pol. To get the 
> best of both worlds I would need to have dual polarization antenna's 
> or add addtional antenna's at H Pol.  I could also just set my 
> antenna's at a 45 degree angle and take the 3dB hit (loss factor 
> =Cos^2[theta] and try to buy the 3dB 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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-- 

--
Bob Witte K0NR
bob at k0nr.com