[VHFcontesting] Categories

[Zack Widup]

I generally operate QRP Portable in the VHF contests. Having a location on
a hill that is 300+ feet above average terrain is a big bonus. Depending on
the contest, I will take all bands 50 MHz through 24 GHz with me. And
usually work at least a few stations on all bands through 10 GHz.

I am always Analog-Only. Sometimes there aren't many stations to work,
sometimes there are a lot of people on. Lately it seems the digital modes
have taken over and a lot of people don't even bother with CW or SSB. I
haven't won many contests recently, but for many years I was at least in
the top ten and one year took first place nationwide in the Single Op
Portable category. I forget which contest that was, probably September.

73, Zack W9SZ

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On Fri, Sep 15, 2023 at 7:36 AM Herb Krumich via VHFcontesting <
vhfcontesting at contesting.com> wrote:

> Pondering my next contestI spoke to my club about gathering all our
> equipment up to 10 ghz and operating a multi op contest. Then the thought
> struck us we could never compete with the big multi op stations.I need to
> win somethingWe decided to leave six bands home and do the lower four bands
> multi op.But then we realized we had no amps so we could not compete. I
> need to win somethingSince the group decided it was a no go, I thought I
> would operate by myself.I looked at the high power single op, and pondered.
> I only have two amplifiers so I better not compete with those that do.I
> need to win somethingNow I thought about the low power single op open
> category. Bring all my rigs through 2304 and low antennas. Wait a minute.
> My antennas will never beat a home station with a tall tower and preamps.
> Forget thisI need to win somethingMaybe I'll just operate the lower four
> band category. I know I can do well with that. Oh dam, I'll have no cell
> service and won't be able to find hams for skeds.I need to win SomethingNow
> another thought would be three bands. Maybe this will be the way to fly.
> What band should I leave home. Signals are better on 222 than 432, but
> there is more activity on 432. The 432 yagi is longer but the 222 yagi is
> lighter. Surely I can make some phone calls to get Pete on the air. No
> wait, the last time at this site, I had no cell service.I need to win
> somethingI guess my best bet is to operate analog only. Yes, that will
> solve all my problems. I'll operate all bands on SSB and CW. I need to
> practice my code so by calling CQ on CW 10,000 times, my fist will improve
> for the low bands this winter. Pondering that, new hams don't do CWI need
> to win something.Many comments have been made about VHF contesting 2023
> style.In reading each and every comment, my conclusion is this. Far to many
> want rewards or perhaps the ARRL thinks hams want all these categories.Here
> is the death word to VHF contesting "LIMITED"Who the hell is making these
> rules. Leave your equipment home. Don't buy equipment to expand your
> capabilities. When the ARRL decided to make the LIMITED MULTI OP category,
> it was the start of WIN AT ALL COSTS. And death tothe microwave
> bands.Dave's Tuesday group is proving we don't all need to win.Although I
> hear if you give Dave a contact on Tuesday, he'll give you a soda if you
> take a ride to FN43 and say HelloBut then I heard if your in Ron WZ1V log,
> he'll give you a beer in FN31Sorry for ranting. But I wanted to show at
> least for myself, how stupid these awards really are73Herb K2LNSFormerly
> the WA2FGK station
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