I have been watching this thread for a while, and thinking about my own
opinion as to what is going one. As others have stated, the amount of
activity on VHF and UHF should be going up, as it is easier and cheaper
today to get on 2m and 70cm than ever before with all of the HF/VHF/UHF rigs
out there. If one looks around much, they should be able to find one of
those for $500 or so.
One idea I have for the decline has to do with the internet, but not the way
most people think of. I think the problem is that many new hams turn to
QRZ.COM and EHAM.NET to get their elmering advice. I don't read too many of
the QRZ forums, but do get on eham.net quite often so I know what is talked
about there, and much of it is pretty bad information. Here are some
examples:
1. When a new ham asks about HF radios, they are always steered towards the
Icom 718. I still don't understand the cult following for that radio. I
always try to steer them towards the Yaesu FT450 instead, as it is a better
radio overall, has many more built in features that cost more (or are
unavailable) on the 718, and most importantly, includes 6m.
2. New hams are told to avoid buying used equipment as you are "buying
someone elses problems". Funny how I have worked 321 DXCC entities, 6m WAS
and WAC, VUCC on 6, 2, and satellites, and 40 states on 2m using someone
elses problems. Anyways, as pointed out earlier, there is only 1 2m
monoband SSB rig being made right now, and I am sure most didn't even know
that-the MFJ 9402. So, given that new hams are steered away from used
equipment, they wont be looking for an inexpensive 2m all mode rig to add a
band to their collection.
3. If a ham expresses interest in a HF/VHF/UHF rig, they are told instead to
get an HF rig and a dualband FM radio so they don't have all their eggs in
one basket-meaning if one breaks they have the other one to use. It is
never assumed that maybe they wanted the HF/VHF/UHF rig for 2m and 70cm
SSB/CW. However, it is a sad fact that probably 80% of hams with a
HF/VHF/UHF rig have never used the 2m/70cm side on anything other than FM.
4. When questions come up about 6m they are usually told that it is dead all
of the time, and you listen to static, and might get a several minute
opening if you get lucky. Same thing is said about the higher bands.
Time was that when a new ham had questions about something like 6m they
would ask at the local radio club, and would get directed to the local ham
who did 6 meters, so they could go to his or her shack and see it in action.
Now they get on the internet instead and get filled up with information for
someone who is a legend in their own mind, but usually has no idea about
what they are talking about.
I think there is also the perception that you have to have large antennas
and towers, and big amps to do anything on 2m and above. I have worked 40
states on 175 grids on 2m using 160 watts or less, and nothing larger than a
Cushcraft 13B2 mounted on my roof, and that includes 1 EME QSO. I try to
mention my station limitations whenever sending out activity reports so
people know what can be done with smaller stations.
We also need to find ways to rebrand outselves. Calling ourselves "weak
signal operators" doesn't do anything to attract new hams. Who wants to
spend money to get on something with weak signals. Why is it when a ham
runs 1.5KW to 8 stacked yagis on 2m they are weak signal, but when someone
uses a 2 watt HT with a negative gain antenna it is not weak signal? I
don't even like the term "DC to Daylight rig" because first off it is
inaccurate, and secondly, it seems to have a somewhat derrogotry quality to
it, implying that the rig is a poor compromise on all bands (new hams are
also told this on eham as well). I have worked quite a few countries,
grids, and states on a supposedly compromised rig.
If you read the QST reviews, these HF/VHF/UHF rigs are always referred to as
for mobile use only, or as a secondary/back up rig. It is never mentioned
that they could be the primary rig in a shack, even though they are in many
ham's shack, including mine. The on-line forums also believe that new hams
are too confused or dense to use a menu driven rig-hence the call for them
all to get Icom 718.
If you have been to your local radio club recently, I dont mean a speciality
club, but the local one where new hams are likely to show up, I would bet
that when discussions of 2m and 70cm come up, FM and APRS are mentioned over
SSB by a ratio of 50 to 1 or more. Most clubs seem to think that 2m and up
should only be used for emergency communcations and parade chasing on 2m and
APRS.
I am sure that there are plenty of reasons also, but these are just a few
thoughts.
73 John AF5CC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Laws" <plaws@plaws.net>
To: "vhf contesting" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 12:16 AM
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operating
On Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 3:33 PM, Les Rayburn <les@highnoonfilm.com> wrote:
I've worked in advertising and marketing most of my adult life, so I
often
tend to view things as marketing problems.
They often are ...
The league has failed to ever make VUCC anything more than the kid sister
of
DXCC. They've failed to add "variations" of the award such as 5 Band
VUCC,
or "Rover VUCC" that might encourage more activity. They've failed to
offer
I'm hoping against hope that when the top hireling at HQ retires that
there will be a housecleaning. I think there are too many Cycle 19
types there and I think it hurts the organization. Look at their IT
messes, for example (BTW, adding something to LOTW in its current
state is NON-trivial, which is part of its problem - let's agree to
leave LOTW out of the discussion!).
The award program in general needs help, IMHO. They've made some
tweaks to how you apply for awards via the web and they have been
smart, IMHO, but there needs to be more. There should never be a
reason to send cards to HQ, for example. ALL that should be handled
in the field (though I suspect >80% is already). In addition to the
computer-generated-and-not-always-styled-the-same paper awards, there
should be an "up-sell" of a hand-created certificates (on better
paper), maybe with a raised embossing or something. Easy to do,
revenue-positive I would think (or don't do it!). And yes, plaques,
as someone mentioned.
Multiple band endorsements for VUCC is another good idea, but just
don't go insane with them like the WAS program - want a WAS 'phone AM
15m all-Novice QRP award? You can get it. Well, actually you can't
because Novices can't use AM or any phone on 15, but you know what I
mean. It's dumb, IMHO, but you can get those silly awards. DXCC at
least is a little more rational with 11 bands and 5 modes.
So yes, more emphasis on VUCC would be good. Anyone have an "On the
ultra-highs" presentation in the can they'd like to share?
--
Peter Laws | N5UWY | plaws plaws net | Travel by Train!
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