Curt Roseman has given you one reason, John. There is now LESS activity on 2
meters than there was in the 1980's. Part of that is that grid squares were
a new thing in the 1980's. I certainly spent more time on 2 meters day to
day than I have done since. The more ready availability of 2 meter weak
signal gear has done very little to increase activity. It's the same story
on 6 where there are >100,000 of those tiny multimodes in existence and day
to day no activity on 6 UNLESS the band opens. Everyone watching the packet
box and hoping someone is actually monitoring the band - and no one
transmitting.
Looking at my database of 2 meter contacts, I offer a possible second
reason. Enhanced conditions primarily in the form of tropo were more
prevalent in the 60's. Even with packet it is rare to find a tropo opening
here on the east coast. I know there is a lot more in the Midwest but - I
think - significantly less than used to be in the 60's. I think aurora is
about the same and follows sunspot number and position in the cycle. But I
think Es is less on 2 than in the 80's I used to find 3-5 Es openings a year
on 2. Now I'm lucky if I get one. YMMV.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Geiger [mailto:johngeig@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 2:15 PM
To: curtis roseman; Dan_K9ZF
Cc: VHFcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Shortest time to 2m VUCC
So here is another question brought up my your
comment, why was 2 meter activity more in the 1980s?
Seems like it is easier than ever (and cheaper than
ever) to get on 2 meter SSB, with the Icom 706/746
Yaesu FT100/897/857/847 combos out there at a great
price.
73s John W5TD
--- curtis roseman <croseman@usc.edu> wrote:
> VHFers:
>
> Below is a list of all the stations that have worked
> at least 100 grids in a
> June or September ARRL VHF QSO Party. Note: the
> June contest
> started using grids in1985 and the September contest
> in 1983.
>
> Grids/ Call/ Class/
> Section/ Contest/ Year/
> 121 W8VP M OH JUNE 85
> 116 W9UD M IL JUNE 85
> 114 AA9D M IL SEPT 92
> 114 WS4F M NC SEPT 86
> 111 W4BFB M TN SEPT 86
> 110 W2SZ/1 M WMA SEPT 92
> 110 AA9D M IL JUNE 87
> 108 N8FMD M WV SEPT 92
> 108 WD8ISK M OH JUNE 85
> 105 N8FMD M WV JUNE 89
> 103 K8GP M WV SEPT 98
> 102 WD8ISK M WV SEPT 88
> 101 K8GP M WV SEPT 01
>
> In addition, OK1KIM worked 107 Grids on 2 meters in
> the 2005 CQWW
> VHF July Contest. (Results of the 2006 CQ contest
> are not out yet.)
> I have not checked the January VHF SS--it is
> possible, but I think unlikely,
> that 100 grids have been worked on 2 in that one.
>
> Notice the domination of the late 1980s in the above
> data. Two meter
> activity was more widespread then.
>
> 73, Curt Roseman k9aks
>
____________________________________________________________________________
________
Have a burning question?
Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.
_______________________________________________
VHFcontesting mailing list
VHFcontesting@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
|