How about a VUCC challenge like the DXCC challenge, where you add up your
grid square total from all bands, and publish the top stations every year.
Maybe make it just 2m and above as some stations could probably top the
standing just on 6m.
Heck, how about an article in QST about getting on 2m and above aimed at the
newcomer? I know I first got interested in 2m SSB from reading an article
in Worldradio about the Sidewinders on Two club and the things they were
doing on 2m SSB.
73 John AF5CC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
To: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>; <vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu>
Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2014 9:33 PM
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Trends in VHF/UHF Weak Signal Operating
I've worked in advertising and marketing most of my adult life, so I often
tend to view things as marketing problems. In the case of VHF/UHF weak
signal operation, I certainly think that is a portion of the problem. When
the VUCC Award was created, it resulted in a flurry of activity on the
bands, expeditions to rare grids, and other activity. While it wasn't very
successful in attracting newcomers to the band, it did give those already
active incentive to increase their operations.
Fast forward almost thirty years, and the situation is reversed. Nearly
everyone who wants to earn VUCC has already done so.
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 merchandise in their store to build the VUCC "brand" among hams.
Very few articles have been written in QST about the exploits of people
trying to earn the award. (Not true in the early days, but certainly now)
In short, the ARRL has missed the opportunity to make VUCC a desirable
accomplishment for most amateurs. And provide no incentive to earn the
award on multiple bands, which is key to providing an incentive for
operation on 902 and up. I've been trying to find time to author a paper
for the VHF Conferences that would formally propose the creation of two
new awards:
Five Band VUCC
--------------------------------------------
A special award recognizing any amateur who earned VUCC on five bands or
more including satellites. No rules changes, and only minor programming
required to have LoTW track the award.
VUCC Rover
-----------------------------------------
An award for any rover who worked the required number of grids for each
band, while operating outside their "home" station grid. For example,
you'd need to work 100 grids on 6 & 2 while operating outside your home
grid. But only five to earn it on 10 GHz.
The key to making these awards successful would be to really market and
promote them, especially in the pages of QST. While I'm not in favor of
resetting everyone to zero, the league could offer a special incentive to
anyone who works the necessary grids in the coming calendar year. Maybe
plaques would be in order. I'm willing to sponsor ten of them, personally.
This would have the same effect of "resetting to zero" for anyone who
wanted the plaques, while still allowing for those who have already earned
5 Band VUCC or Rover VUCC to receive the award.
While I applaud the efforts that many of us have made as individuals to
increase activity, it's hard to imagine real change unless the ARRL gets
behind the effort.
--
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
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