This is an opinion question, so tell me your opinion and why you feel the way you do. I have been wanting to get into vhf contests, but haven't got it all together yet. I currently have a Yaesu 450D
thinking about the new shack and thinking of upgrading the equipment. So if you were to start from scratch to build a decent single operator station primarily for Vhf contest (I've be doing HF just f
Thank you all who responded. You've all given me something to think about. Following on some of the advice given, I am going to shoot for FM only in the January contest. I will not have moved to the
Author: Randy Wing via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2016 17:14:14 +0000 (UTC)
Recommend publishing to as many local clubs as possible your frequencies and operating times and location. it will increase your number of contacts. Randy, N0LD Following on some of the advice given
Author: John Young via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2016 20:49:49 -0400
Micheal, I do FM Only. The folks on the contesting reflector are super helpful. Do a search on the reflector under "VHF contesting KM4KMU" on google or using the reflector search tool under my call K
Are you guys running your beams horizontal or vertical for FM only? The penalty for cross polarization is pretty nasty, but I guess most of the sideband stations are running higher power and big enou
There is about a 20 dB difference between horizontal and vertical polarizations with one station using the opposite of the other. I generally don't run FM in the VHF contests because I usually operat
For portable stations it is easy to make your yagis simple to switch between horizontal and vertical polarization. For example, I made my yagis with the booms from 1" square aluminum. The boom/mast
Glad to hear you will be on. In the VHF contests here in Texas - I am in EM00 - I make most of my contacts on SSB/CW with horizontal antennas. If you do try SSB - even a simple dipole or quad loop ho
Author: John Young via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2016 17:00:28 -0400
Sean & Zack, For September I was at 4400 ft ASL. I ran VV on Saturday and then set the beams at 45 degrees for Sunday. At 45 degrees you lose 3dB against a VV and HH station. The idea was that an SSB
John, That's a pretty good idea. I was trying to think what I would tell a new contester with only FM gear. As a primarily sideband station we run all h-pol, and it doesn't make sense to change that
Author: John Young via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2016 17:19:53 -0500
Sean, I cant take complete credit for the idea. It was one of many ideas people on the reflector discussed wit me last spring. I can say the loss wasnt noticable. Not only did I get my longest range
I want to follow up with this thread for any looking at it in the future. From the advice given, two things stand out. First thing is that if at all possible, meet up with someone who is already doin
Author: Duane - N9DG via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:19:13 +0000 (UTC)
Better think the 45 degree polarization thing through a bit more. It only works good if you are the only one doing it. If everyone else is also turned 45 degrees in the same direction as you are, and
Author: John Young via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 07:40:38 -0500
You are correct. But since there are only a couple dozen FM contesters spread across the country its a small risk. Its a bad idea for an ssb station. If it becomes a trend, as you ppint out, its self
Author: Duane - N9DG via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 23:48:13 +0000 (UTC)
Just wanted to be sure that the 45 degree idea and its potential big pitfall is fully understood. I might have even tried it many years ago ;).. One thing I did do for a few years many years ago was