[VHFcontesting] Setting up new station

[George Fremin III]

On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 11:13:18PM -0500, Michael Murphy wrote:

> This is an opinion question, so tell me your opinion and why you
> feel the way you do.  I have been wanting to get into vhf contests,
> but haven't got it all together yet.  I currently have a Yaesu 450D
> and 100D.  Also have 3 Tyt 9000 (2m, 1.25m and 70cm FM).  I will be
> moving in a few months and have been thinking about the new shack
> support for multiple transverters.  I also like the Icom IC-9100 for
> its 2m and 70cm capability, but no transverter support.  When it
> comes to tranverters, I like the way the Elecraft transverters work
> with the K3, but Demi has more band choices.  As far as antennas go,
> I've only got a triband vertical for the FMs.  So any thoughts and
> comments are welcome.

Glad to hear you will be on.  In the VHF contests here in Texas - I am
in EM00 - I make most of my contacts on SSB/CW with horizontal
antennas.  If you do try SSB - even a simple dipole or quad loop
horizontal will be a big improvement over a vertical.  You do not need
a huge beam to do well on these bands.  But being on the same
polarization makes a big difference.

I use K3 and transverters - I use a mix of Elecraft and DEMI units. 

For me the limiting factor is always money - so I have been slowly
collecting these things for years much of it used and adding bands as
I can. These fairly cheap transverters you see on ebay look tempting
esp for bands like 222 where it is much harder to find radios.  I have
been thinking of building up a small station that I or someone else
could use as a rover or portable.  Without breaking the bank.


I do listen on (now) 146.52 in the contests and I make some calls.  I
use 150 watts and a db-224 vertical dipole array.  It works well and I
am sure if I had a yagi I would get out even better.  I have found
that there are a number of locals (within 50 miles or so) that are on
6 meter ssb/cw but not on the high bands.  I always try to get these
folks on 2M and up FM.  I work quite a few on 2m FM - sometimes they
have to get out the hand held and go outside or go out to their cars
but it works.  I also work random stations - more now that I can call
on 146.52 - before it was very quiet on 146.55 or some other
frequency.


-- 
George Fremin III - K5TR
geoiii at kkn.net
http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr