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

[Bob K0NR - email list]

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.