Hey Mike,
I can identify with just about everything you said. I miss the every day
2 meter activity we used to have here in Maine/VE1/VE9.
I'd like to suggest K1WHS write a book! I would get in line to buy a
book about his VHF experiences, from building of an using the old EME
array to the contest station and whatever else is related! I'm serious.
I would really love to read the full K1WHS story.
I've been around VHF since 1986 but to quote something W5UN once told me
about 2 meter EME, it seems "the bloom has come off the rose". I just
sent Dave a personal note thanking him for his efforts to get high power
222 amps into the hands of people who will use them. One of the reasons
all VHF/UHF bands have become less interesting for those of us in
outlying areas is the sharp decline in the number of high power
stations. 500 mile troposcatter QSOs used to be commonplace but are now
very rare because few have the horsepower for it. Finding long haul
meteor scatter skeds that have any chance of succeeding is increasingly
difficult or impossible for the same reason. I'm hoping some of those
222 decks end up in the hands of people 1300-1400 miles from me!
I operate FT8 somewhat but it is much less fun for me. One of the things
I absolutely loved about VHF was hearing the unique propagation
characteristics on signals. So much is lost with FT8. It's sterile and
boring.
Activity in Maine is declining too. Some, like me, are discouraged by
the ever declining number of high power stations making longer distance
QSOs hard to come by. Not even FT8 with its lower decode threshold can
make up the difference. Some have been discouraged by FT8. And sadly
some are silent key.
I can't be sure if this but I sense that fewer active stations in
Maine/VE1/VE9/VY2 may further compound the problem as there is less
incentive for people to point this way.
Whatever the reasons, the bloom is clearly off the rose for those of us
up this way.
Dave, when are you going to write that book? HI HI!
73,
Paul N1BUG
On 8/23/22 14:52, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
Thanks for the encouraging note Dave. It's good to hear from you.
I've been around the VHF scene for a long time, starting out as VE1MQ
qrv first on 2m, then 6m. Even dabbled a little bit on 70cm. Did
that for a # of years, doing grid expeditions, rovers and others.
Recall working you and Paul/BUG quite a few times back then.
Then in 1993 I became VE9AA. I was very active on 6m CW and SSB, but
when FT8 hit the scene, most of the activity followed and I've become
disillusioned with VHF. No amount of convincing will bring me over
to FT8 or any digimode. I have to be satisfied with what I have done
on the legacy modes. I doubt either total of States(2m) or
countries(6m) will rise any (or much) with 98% of activity now on
those modes.
Also, many/most of the locals in VE1/VE9/VY2 have either moved, moved
onto other things, or moved onto the great DX hunting grounds in the
sky (RIP OM's) so the "guys in Maine/NH" are the only ones left.
(from my perspective)
There just isn't enough activity to keep me (very) interested in
VHF...at least at this moment.
My initial post was really just complimenting you on your "rah rah"
encouraging posts. I very much enjoy them.
If I was to ever stumble upon an IC-375A or super compact 222MHz
setup of some kind, I'd build a small 222 yagi and your emails alone
would likely be enough to see me get on....they're that good.
Keep up the great work you and others do on that front.
Mike VE9AA FN66
Mike, Coreen & Corey Keswick Ridge, NB
-----Original Message----- From: David Olean
[mailto:k1whs@metrocast.net] Sent: August 23, 2022 3:37 PM To: Mike
Smith VE9AA; vhfcontesting@contesting.com Subject: Re:
[VHFcontesting] The K1WHS Chronicles
Build a bigger house! heh heh. We need someone in VE1 land on 222.
It is a vast wasteland. Give me a reason to turn my rotator! I used
to talk with a guy in Moncton all the time on 144, so you being near
the sunny metropolis of Frederickton would make you almost local! I
miss the VE1 activity.
Dave K1WHS
On 8/23/2022 2:12 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
Even though I am not QRV on 222, every week I read Dave's (and
others) reports and it sure makes me want to get gear.
I'd love to find a "222MHz all mode radio"(or equivalent, like a
736 w/ 222 module)) but I know they're as rare as hen's teeth. At
this point in my life and the miniscule size of my shack mostly
dedicated to SO2R HF contesting, running a dedicated radio,outboard
transverter, associated wiring/switching and whatnot and a small
amp doesn't really interest me.
Keep the FB reports coming Dave ! (and others)
I very much enjoy them.
Mike VE9AA FN66na
Keswick Ridge, NB
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