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Re: [VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 141, Issue 4

To: "vhfcontesting@contesting.com" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 141, Issue 4
From: Todd <wd0t@mncomm.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 11:41:38 -0500
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Curt are you going portable for this one in Sept ?

73 Todd WD0T

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 4, 2014, at 11:00 AM, vhfcontesting-request@contesting.com wrote:
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. September ARRL VHF Contest Section Records (Curtis Roseman)
>   2. Looking for a 2m & 432 Xvrts (KC2TN)
>   3. rover antenna alternatives (Pete Kobak via VHFcontesting)
>   4. 1st September Rove (Rob Palmer)
>   5. ARRL Proposal for a combined 10 Meter & 6 Meter    Contest
>      (Les Rayburn)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 16:47:18 +0000
> From: Curtis Roseman <croseman@usc.edu>
> To: "vhfcontesting@contesting.com" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] September ARRL VHF Contest Section Records
> Message-ID: <1409762845455.32615@usc.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> VHF Contesters:
> 
> 
> 
> The section records for the ARRL September contest through 2013 are now up on 
> the ARRL Website:  http://www.arrl.org/contest-records
> 
> 
> 
> Please direct any corrections to me.
> 
> 
> 
> 73,
> 
> 
> 
> Curt Roseman  k9aks
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 14:53:53 -0400
> From: KC2TN <kc2tn@comcast.net>
> To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com, packrats-members@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Looking for a 2m & 432 Xvrts
> Message-ID: <305C8DC3-5555-44CF-9BC6-44E3A9F8861B@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=us-ascii
> 
> Anyone looking to sell a Demi 2M and/or 432mhz transverter?
> 
> I need the IF to be 28mhz and the input able to accept 0dbm level.
> 
> Prefer low 2M output or anything I can reduce to 1 watt
> 
> Prefer 432 output to be 25 watts.
> 
> These will be used with a Flex 6500.
> 
> Please email me off list at KC2TN@Comcast.net
> 
> Tnx & 73
> Joe 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 20:45:39 -0700
> From: Pete Kobak via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> To: "vhfcontesting@contesting.com" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] rover antenna alternatives
> Message-ID:
>    <1409802339.66904.YahooMailNeo@web121805.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Beginner rover, participated in the July CQ contest from 8 grids. My setup 
> takes a long time (30-40 minutes) to construct and break down, so travel and 
> setup/breakdown leaves little time for making contacts. [I have a ~30 ft 
> walk-up mast on trailer hitch (a Penninger Radio system) and keep the 
> antennas inside the minivan, so I have to assemble the mast and assemble all 
> 3 antennas on the mast and connect coax each time.] For Sept., I'll have a 
> short boom 6m 3el, a 2m 7el, and a 432 15el.
> 
> I've been trying to mount loop antennas (M2 "HO" series) on the roof rack 
> rails so I have some limited capabilities on the road and quick grid stops 
> (in addition to the walk-up mast for longer stops). However, I'm getting 
> frustrated trying to mount them (especially the 6m) because they use skinny 
> half-inch masts with standard 3/8 threads. Way too whippy IMHO for highway 
> speeds and there would be tremendous stress on the bolt or nut holding the 
> mast on the mounting plate. Tried using a very stiff antenna spring, but the 
> 6m just flopped over from it's (non-symmetrical) weight. I could get some 
> strain relief with a couple of guy ropes, but I can't get guys in 3 
> directions, just 2 at a right angle. I'm thinking of using PVC to get both 
> pull and push forces on the masts, but the arrangement I'm starting to try is 
> a horrible hack of cut up PVC connectors and hose clamps.
> 
> Since the loop antennas are turning into a big project anyway, I was 
> considering mounting my yagis for use on the road. I'm pretty nervous about 
> it, but I think mechanically I could do it from the trailer hitch with my 
> existing system. Here's some concerns (besides the concern that the antennas 
> will come flying off on the highway and cause a horrific accident):
>    1. I'll only have 5ft of mast or less above the roof. Having the 432 
> lowest at 1 foot above the roof, that only leaves 2ft max spacing between the 
> antennas. Is it even worth doing with the antennas squeezed so close together?
> 
>    2. I don't have a Moxon for 6m, just the short 3el. Having the 6m point 
> down the major axis of the van would be too wide for travel, so I'll have to 
> have it at a right angle to the other two antennas pointing down the major 
> axis. I understand that will be a PITA to have to turn 90 degrees when 
> changing bands with a contact, but my bigger concern is how much performance 
> will be hurt.
> 
>    3. I've seen plenty of pictures of rovers with antennas overhanging the 
> back of the vehicle, but I've always wondered about the legality and safety 
> of that arrangement. What if any flags and lights do you put on the 
> overhanging antennas? My antennas will extend 42-56 inches back from the 
> trailer hitch, which is right against the bumper.
>    4. OTOH, I'm hoping when I stop to do a full setup, I'll save some time by 
> having fully-assembled antennas and coax on the top mast segment already ... 
> though taking off the populated segment and moving it to the end of the 
> assembled long mast will be a challenge.
> Thanks for reading through this long post. Is there a better way to do the HO 
> loops, or should I just use two guy ropes and stop worrying? Or, is the 
> compromise mounting of the yagis a better way to go? I appreciate your 
> thoughts.
> 
> -- Pete K0BAK
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 23:57:45 -0400
> From: "Rob Palmer" <pinevalleymopars@stny.rr.com>
> To: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] 1st September Rove
> Message-ID: <FA0C7B7378AD458A98FC128C29A6EE5A@Rob2PC>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
> 
>            Look for myself KB2YCC & my wife KB2YVA to be active on 6 meters
> - 3.4GHz for the September contest as rovers. We (and hopefully friends)
> will be around the FN12 FN13 FN03 FN02 area during the first part of the
> contest. We plan on going East for FN23 & FN22 later in the day and down to
> FN21 & FN11 Saturday night to complete Saturday. Sunday is still up in the
> air. 
> 
>            We hope everyone has a great contest and we hope to hear you on
> the air. Rob KB2YCC
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:47:02 -0500
> From: Les Rayburn <les@highnoonfilm.com>
> To: VHF Contesting Reflector <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>,    N1LF
>    Radio <n1lf@highnoonfilm.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] ARRL Proposal for a combined 10 Meter & 6
>    Meter    Contest
> Message-ID: <5407FCD6.9010904@highnoonfilm.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
> 
> 
> A few weeks ago, Steve N2CEI posted an update from ARRL HQ that 
> authorized the appointment of an-hoc committee related to VHF 
> contesting. Within that posting, he mentioned a desire from ARRL HQ 
> staff to enhance operation on the 6 & 10 Meter band that included the 
> following:
> 
> */PSC requested that headquarters staff explores opportunities to 
> emphasize more activity of the 6 and 10 meters bands. Ideas included a 
> combined 6- and 10-meter contest, a 10 meter grid square award, and 
> emphasis on portable operations. /*
> 
> I'm interested in hearing what VHF contest operators think about the 
> possibility of a combined 10 & 6 Contest? During sunspot nulls (or even 
> the current maximum) 10 Meters often performs more like a VHF band than 
> an HF band--so I think the grouping is pretty natural. The CQ VHF 
> contest which focus only on 6 & 2 Meters as long been a favorite of mine 
> due to the simplicity of the format. I suspect that a 6 & 10 contest 
> could have the same appeal.
> 
> A 10 Meter grid award also makes a lot of sense to me. It might 
> encourage even more FFMA style expeditions.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> --
> 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
> 
> 
> I have had a chance to review the various reports of the July meeting 
> and here are some highlights that are of interest to VHF and above 
> operators.First as copied from the report:
> 
> VHF and above contesting rules. The PSC voted to authorize the 
> appointment of an ad-hoc committee to review and discuss various issues 
> related to the ARRL VHF and above contest program. The following 
> individuals have been subsequently appointed to this committee:
> 
> Kermit W9XA (Chairman)
> Dave Patton NN1N
> Marty Woll N6VI
> Doug Rehman K4AC
> Joel Harrison W5ZN
> 
> All have considerable VHF+ contesting experience and perspective through 
> involvement with their respective VHF+ contesting communities, and I 
> believe they will provide us with sound advice and recommendations that 
> will enable PSC to tackle the challenge of improving the entire 
> contesting program.
> 
> End of Copy.
> 
> My personal comments are that it is a great list of individuals to 
> represent us as VHF and above operators.
> Since I am an Assistant Director concerning VHF and above matters 
> reporting to our Division Director Doug Rehman, I expect to be making 
> the SVHF Society's opinions heard on any subject relating to VHF and 
> above contesting. As of this writing, I am not aware of the committee's 
> plan of attack on such matters but this would be a great place to 
> forward any information that the Society and the general VHF and above 
> community would be interested in. It would also be a good place to 
> request public opinions and any matters we are queried about. So-- keep 
> this topic handy and spread the word.
> 
> Secondly, an important rule change to Single Op VHF contesting happened.
> 
> "On the motion of Mr. Rehman and second of Mr. Norris it was VOTED to 
> add a Single Operator Unlimited category that allows passive assistance 
> to all Single Operator categories in ARRL VHF/UHF contest to be 
> implemented in calendar year 2015. "
> 
> All operators interested in competing in this class should review the 
> ARRL rules pertaining to "Passive Assistance" I'm sure it will be a 
> topic of discussion in the near future but understanding them for the 
> Jan. VHF contest, 2015 is important.
> 
> Other topics of VHF interest are :
> 
> PSC requested that headquarters staff explores opportunities to 
> emphasize more activity of the 6 and 10 meters bands. Ideas included a 
> combined 6- and 10-meter contest, a 10 meter grid square award, and 
> emphasis on portable operations.
> 
> PSC agreed to expand the Field Day message handling bonus to include 
> formats other than the traditional NTS Radiogram (i.e. ICS-213 and other 
> relevant formats), effective 2015.
> 
> The following Contest Advisory Committee tasks were assigned. I thought 
> these would be of interest to the Society members so were copied below. 
> One note is the last on the list concerning public Logs . My 
> understanding is if it were to be implemented , it would be across the 
> board.
> 
> 1. Investigate potential mobile categories for HF contesting.
> 2. Investigate parameters CAC would recommend for a possible 24-hour 
> category in the ARRL International DX contest.
> 3. Review scoring topics within the ARRL 160-meter contest.
> 4. Study the feasibility, pros/cons, etc. of potentially making 
> submitted logs public for ARRL contests.
> 
> If you wish to view the complete report search for "Program and Services 
> Committee (PSC)
> Report to the Board ? July 2014, Doc #16" on the ARRL Website Its 
> recommended reading to and ARRL member. Also review the July meeting 
> Minutes at http://www.arrl.org/board-meetings 
> http://www.arrl.org/board-meetings
> 
> Steve, N2CEI
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Subject: Digest Footer
> 
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> ------------------------------
> 
> End of VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 141, Issue 4
> *********************************************
> 
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