[ADXA] VHF contest

[Dennis Schaefer]

Thanks to Jay, Joel, and Rory for good info.  This was my first time to have capability to operate on 432 and I was disappointed to not work anyone.   

I did have fun, though.  I worked about 25 stations on 2M FT8, mostly in neighboring states, but also IL, AL, KS, etc, with a total of 11 grids.    The highlight was making 21 CW contacts on 6 meters.  I even got on 6M FT8 for a few minutes and worked John (BHS) and Joel.   6M SSB was  active and I made a handful of contacts there.

I checked 432.100 from time to time and called CQ on 432.174 FT8, covering 360 degrees.  Never heard anything or got a response.  Maybe the issues on moving from band to band will be resolved somehow.  

Maybe we need a separate weekend for digital ops and one for SSB and CW.   Then a standard messaging system for moving stations on digital modes.  I’m sure all this has been exhaustively discussed.  

The setup here:   6 meters - 100 watts to 3 element yagi at 15 feet.
2 meters - 100 watts to 8 elements up 18 feet
70 cm - 80 watts to 22 elements up 12 feet.

Not a world beater, but it lets me get my VHF/UHF fix every once in awhile.  I’m surprised it works as well as it does at these heights.

73,
Dennis