[VHFcontesting] [VHF] [amsat-bb] 5 Band VUCC Award
w5zn at w5zn.org
w5zn at w5zn.org
Tue Apr 23 07:13:16 EDT 2019
A 5-Band VUCC award would be nice however I'm not sure it would increase
activity on the bands beyond an individual's current effort of achieving
a VUCC award on each band that currently exists. What
advantage/incentive does it offer beyond having five separate VUCC
awards? When the 5-Band DXCC award was created individual band DXCC
Awards were not available as they are today.
Speaking just strictly from my personal situation, I have 11 single band
VUCC awards (50 MHz thru 24 GHz). If a 5-Band VUCC award became
available I would simply submit my existing individual award credits for
a 5-Band award without getting on the air. If the award required an
individual to start from scratch to achieve a 5-Band VUCC I have to
confess I have absolutely no desire to get on the air and pursue that
all over again and would not do so. From my normal operating perspective
(and I realize those of you who know me would not certify me as being
"normal") it would do nothing to increase my on-the-air activity.
What would stimulate me to get on the air more outside of a contest
weekend is something John, AF5CC, mentions below. A VUCC Challenge Award
similar to the DXCC Challenge Award where total grid count on all bands
would come in to play.
Please do not read my comments as poo-pooing a 5-Band VUCC award. I
believe it would be very nice. I just do not see how it would stimulate
and increase activity since single band awards are already available.
73 Joel W5ZN
On 2019-04-22 17:23, John Geiger wrote:
> An idea I have been kicking around would be a VUCC challenge, like the
> DXCC
> Challenge on HF, 160, and 6 meters. You add together your grid totals
> from
> all VHF and UHF bands, and include satellites, and the higher score
> each
> year would get a trophy. This should get people interested in adding
> additional bands to their setup.
>
> There could be a plaque issued when you reach some level of grid
> totals.
> For the DXCC Challenge is it 1000 band countries, with endorsements
> being
> added to that at specific levels. May 500 band grids would be the
> plaque
> level. I think that there should be some stipulation added that you
> must
> have worked say 20 grids on 3 different bands to get the initial
> plaque.
> This would keep someone from getting the initial plaque just by using 6
> meters or the satellites. I love 6 meters and the satellites, but
> doing it
> on 1 band would kind of violate the spirit of the award. Also, for the
> DXCC
> Challenge you would have to use 3 bands minimum to get to 1000 band
> countries. You couldn't do it on just 20 meters.
>
> Any thoughts on this idea?
>
> 73 John AF5CC
>
> On Mon, Apr 22, 2019 at 10:45 AM Les Rayburn via VHF
> <vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Bruce,
>>
>> Correct. For those of us “Back East”, 6 Meter VUCC and Satellite VUCC
>> are
>> probably the easiest to earn. 2 Meters is certainly achievable
>> especially
>> using WSJT meteor scatter and EME.
>>
>> Those in most parts of the West have an advantage on microwave—since
>> high
>> spots with five grids within range are most plentiful.
>>
>> 222 and 432 are within each of most—especially if we have increased
>> activity on these bands.
>>
>> Microwave about 2.3 GHz is tougher but if you’re willing to travel the
>> five (5) grids required could be worked by yourself and a partner in a
>> weekend.
>>
>> For the record, I just achieved my second VUCC. This one on 2 Meters—a
>> feat that took over a decade to complete. I’m limited to an indoor
>> antenna
>> due to HOA. Closing in on Satellite VUCC which would give me three of
>> the
>> awards.
>>
>> Completing 432 would be possible—but likely would require a single
>> Yagi
>> EME effort from the driveway at night. My HOA will allow portable
>> operations—but everything has to be back inside when the sun comes up.
>>
>> That would give me four bands—anything else will require microwave and
>> travel. A considerable expense. But one that I’d be willing to make if
>> the
>> reward was not only 10 GHz VUCC but also the new Five Band VUCC Award.
>>
>> I really hope the ARRL will seriously consider the proposal. If you’re
>> supportive of it, please contact your Section Manager and let them
>> know.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>> Maylene, AL
>> EM63nf
>> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Apr 22, 2019, at 7:52 AM, Bruce <kk5do at amsat.org> wrote:
>> >
>> > So, I could do my 100 on satellite, 100 on 6m, then 100 on 2m and 50 on
>> 70cm and be done.
>> >
>> > The higher frequencies are impossible from the Houston area as we have
>> no mountains. Those in mountainous regions have a distinct advantage
>> in the
>> higher frequencies. That is why you see a large group of high
>> frequency use
>> in Europe, East Coast and West Coast. I am not saying it does not
>> present a
>> challenge everywhere
>> >
>> > 73...bruce
>> >
>> > On 4/22/2019 1:20 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:
>> >> Bruce,
>> >>
>> >> Thank you for your input. Current VUCC rules would apply:
>> >>
>> >> 6 Meters, 2 Meters, and Satellite require 100 grids confirmed.
>> >> 222 and 432 require 50 grids
>> >> 902 and 1296 require 25 grids
>> >> 2304 requires 10 grids
>> >> All higher bands including 5 GHz, 10Ghz, and laser require only five.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> 73,
>> >>
>> >> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>> >> Maylene, AL
>> >> EM63nf
>> >> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> On Apr 21, 2019, at 10:07 PM, Bruce <kk5do at amsat.org <mailto:
>> kk5do at amsat.org>> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> 100 grids terrestrial on 1296 or 2400. that is a bit rough. what 5
>> bands would it be? 222, 2m, 70cm, 1296 and ??? 2400?
>> >>>
>> >>> 73...bruce
>> >>>
>> >>> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>>
>> >>> On Apr 21, 2019, at 9:50 PM, Les Rayburn via AMSAT-BB <
>> amsat-bb at amsat.org <mailto:amsat-bb at amsat.org>> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Lady & Gentlemen,
>> >>>
>> >>> Not certain if my earlier message was received. No reply from anyone
>> on the distribution list. Here it is again, in case the first one was
>> lost
>> in cyberspace.
>> >>>
>> >>> In an effort to stimulate activity on VHF/UHF bands beyond 70 CM, I’d
>> like to suggest the creation of a Five Band VUCC (5B VUCC) award that
>> would closely mirror the 5 Band DXCC Award.
>> >>>
>> >>> Successful applicants would need to achieve VUCC status on five or
>> more of the VHF/UHF bands to be eligible for the larger award. A
>> special
>> certificate and pin could be created to honor recipients.
>> >>>
>> >>> My feeling is that this award would encourage greater activity on the
>> VHF/UHF bands, especially on bands that have less use like 222, 1296,
>> and
>> higher microwave bands. This increased activity encourages the sale of
>> more
>> gear, helps protect our spectrum from commercial interests, and
>> advances
>> the state of the radio art.
>> >>>
>> >>> Please let me know if you think this idea has any merit, or what I
>> could do to help support the creation of the new award. As always,
>> grateful
>> for your service to the hobby.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> 73,
>> >>>
>> >>> Les Rayburn, N1LF
>> >>> 121 Mayfair Park
>> >>> Maylene, AL 35114
>> >>> EM63nf
>> >>> AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB at amsat.org>. AMSAT-NA
>> makes this open forum available
>> >>> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
>> Opinions expressed
>> >>> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
>> of AMSAT-NA.
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>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > Bruce Paige, KK5DO
>> >
>> > AMSAT Director Contests and Awards
>> > AMSAT Board Member 2016-2020
>> >
>> > ARRL Awards Field Checker (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE
>> >
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>>
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