Yes, I've spent up to 20 minutes trying for one microwave QSO. In that
time I could've probably worked 5 or 6 stations on 144 MHz and gone up at
least a couple bands with them to get more points than the microwave QSO
was worth.
But I'll do almost ANYTHING to get activity on the microwave bands. Not
just in contests. Microwave Activity Day, skeds at odd hours - I'm
willing to give all a try.
All my equipment is homebrew and really didn't cost that much in money to
build compared to buying the gear from DEM, etc. It did take lots of time
to build. Now that I have it, I'd like to get as much use out of it as
possible. Even if I have to get up at 5:30 am and drive to a hilltop 45
miles away on a Wednesday morning for a sked.
:-)
73, Zack W9SZ
Usually QRP Portable from EN50rl
On Wed, 19 Nov 2008, N6FD wrote:
> My experience shows that the microwave contacts are actually harder. It
> may not be the case at grid corners, but over any appreciable
> difference, it is more difficult. It is much easier to pump out the
> QSOs on 6 or 2 than to set up the narrow beam on the microwave bands.
> The additional points probably don't completely compensate for the
> additional time required.
>
> The whole purpose of the VHF contests is to encourage activity on all of
> the upper ham bands. From feedline loss to equipment construction to
> antenna precision, the degree of difficulty is greater on the microwave
> bands. If the scoring was to reflect that, it would look something
> like this 6M, 1point (in June 0.1point); 2M, 432, 1point; 1296 2points;
> 222, 1296 3points; 2304 - 10000 4 points; 24GHz 8points; above 10 points.
>
> Sure commercial gear is available, but usually not on a ham budget. If
> I had a $100k I could set up a killer station using commercial gear.
>
> Erich, N6FD
> Usually QRP Portable from DM15
>
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