Hello Les,
I think that combining 6&10 meters is a great idea. I have been a VHFer
since 1962, and for most of those years, I was strictly on 144 and above CW
and SSB. I even got nose bleeds and started twitching if I tried VHF FM. So
a few years ago, when VHF activity died, I decided to get on ten meters as a
way to make some (any) contacts via ham radio during the colder months. I
wanted to keep my code speed up and also learn about the propagation modes
that are there occasionally on six meters, What better way than to play on
28 MHz.
The first thing I found out was that HF hams think ten meters is dead
unless they are hearing Europe or Asia coming in at 59+20. My take is that
it is always open to some extent and that usually the activity is so sparse
that it only appears dead. The HF definition of "open" is when signals are
wall to wall and treetop tall! Otherwise, no one gets on. They go to a wide
open band instead.
With the huge numbers of HF hams, and knowing the competitive nature of
many, combining ten meters with six meters in a contest would be a good way
to expose HF hams to at least the lower end of the VHF spectrum. It would
force them to use that button that says 6M. Who knows, but it may provide a
gateway for them to more of our lower VHF bands in the process!
I was just on 10 M last week as W1AW/1 in Maine. Each day, I would fire
up the rig after listening to a dead band with no apparent signals in
evidence. It was literally dead from 28.00 up to 28.55 or so with no amateur
signals heard. After getting on and calling CQ, stations would start to
appear and many contacts were made with no direct (East West) F2 propagation
at all. The # of callers got so intense, that I had to operate split
frequency. Most contacts were via back scatter from the N-S path with a
little Es thrown in on occasion. Without turning the beam you could work
weak signals from the Pacific NW and CA all the way east to Europe. All it
took was a reason for people to get on and the DX was there!
Six meters will not open like 10 M will, unless the sunspots are very
high, but much of the same mechanisms at work on ten meters are in effect on
six meters. I think the combination of these two bands in a contest is a
great idea. Grid squares on ten is OK too, but will (I believe) do nothing
to improve VHF activity. Combining the two bands in a contest will promote
VHF activity. Not sure how to implement things, but possibly another six and
ten ARRL contest in Early July might be a hoot! No other bands allowed!!
I am not sure that combining the existing December Ten Meter ARRL
contest with 6M is a good idea. That contest is a world wide stage and
adding six meters would destroy the intent I believe. Mid Summer seems
better for a combo 6&10 contest, as it limits activity within the states,
and Es is at maximum then. There are plenty of options, and all seem
exciting. We need to shake things up.
73
Dave K1WHS
73
Dave K1WHS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Rayburn" <les@highnoonfilm.com>
To: "VHF Contesting Reflector" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>; "N1LF Radio"
<n1lf@highnoonfilm.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2014 1:47 AM
Subject: [VHFcontesting] ARRL Proposal for a combined 10 Meter & 6
MeterContest
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
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