I entered the month pretty excited about the CQ-VHF contest. I was able
to erect a 6 meter and 2 meter beam on July 5th -
http://www.ap1.net/VHF-BEAMS/ - and quickly made contacts on both 6
(Grand Cayman Islands) and 2 meters (Canada) confirming the equipment
was ready to perform during the contest. Unfortunately several
unexpected events totally disrupted the weekend. From being called
twice into work for false burglar alarms to needing to help a young lady
in the neighborhood needing to move out unexpectedly when her (no good)
husband said he had a new girlfriend and wanted her gone to mother
nature offering up a couple of thunderstorms requiring me to shut down
my on air activities I didn't get in a lot of time on air.
However I did get to see a different side of VHF contesting even with a
short amount of seat time in front of the radio. It was my first time a
beam antenna and that did take a little more skill in finding which
direction I needed to be pointing. I do think on 2 meters it would be
helpful if someone called CQ a bit slower and even help if they could
mention their grid in the same process. A short burst of "CQ Contest,
CQ Contest, Call Sign" lasting less than 5 seconds is not very helpful
when trying to locate which direction to turn the beam. (I am sure a
faster ham rotator verses the slow (cheap) TV rotator would help my
situation.)
I really did enjoy 2 meters during the contest and found myself there
more than 6 meters. I also discovered I would find more non contesters
on 2 meters and did take a little bit of time to talk with them. I was
disappointed a bit that I kept hearing W3SO calling CQ over and over and
over and I was never able to get a response from them. They were
relentless with calling CQ but I guess their beam was not pointed my
way. I tried for 30 minutes or so...
I also worked more grids on 2 meters than 6 meters but both produced a
pathetic score due to limited operating time.. However I did see how
adding 2 meters and that multiplier made an improvement to my score.
Maybe next time lady luck will be on my side and allow me to be on more
during the contest.
Jim
K9GTJ | EN60vl
_______________________________________________
VHFcontesting mailing list
VHFcontesting@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
|