On Sat, Oct 29, 2016 at 11:13:18PM -0500, Michael Murphy wrote:
> 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
> and 100D. Also have 3 Tyt 9000 (2m, 1.25m and 70cm FM). I will be
> moving in a few months and have been thinking about the new shack
> support for multiple transverters. I also like the Icom IC-9100 for
> its 2m and 70cm capability, but no transverter support. When it
> comes to tranverters, I like the way the Elecraft transverters work
> with the K3, but Demi has more band choices. As far as antennas go,
> I've only got a triband vertical for the FMs. So any thoughts and
> comments are welcome.
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
horizontal will be a big improvement over a vertical. You do not need
a huge beam to do well on these bands. But being on the same
polarization makes a big difference.
I use K3 and transverters - I use a mix of Elecraft and DEMI units.
For me the limiting factor is always money - so I have been slowly
collecting these things for years much of it used and adding bands as
I can. These fairly cheap transverters you see on ebay look tempting
esp for bands like 222 where it is much harder to find radios. I have
been thinking of building up a small station that I or someone else
could use as a rover or portable. Without breaking the bank.
I do listen on (now) 146.52 in the contests and I make some calls. I
use 150 watts and a db-224 vertical dipole array. It works well and I
am sure if I had a yagi I would get out even better. I have found
that there are a number of locals (within 50 miles or so) that are on
6 meter ssb/cw but not on the high bands. I always try to get these
folks on 2M and up FM. I work quite a few on 2m FM - sometimes they
have to get out the hand held and go outside or go out to their cars
but it works. I also work random stations - more now that I can call
on 146.52 - before it was very quiet on 146.55 or some other
frequency.
--
George Fremin III - K5TR
geoiii@kkn.net
http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr
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