[AK-VHF] ARRL VHF Contest (June 11&12)

Fri Jun 10 17:00:31 EDT 2011

At 10:10 AM 6/10/2011, you wrote:
>X-Antispam: NO; Spamcatcher 6.1.2. Score 1
>
>Hi Ed >>>
>
>      I was looking at your recommended frequency list and reviewing the ARRL
>VHF contest rules (see
>http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-arrl-contests-above-50-mhz for details)
>and had some questions.  As I read this we are supposed to stay away from
>146.52 (see rule 1.8) but there is no restriction on the other 
>national simplex
>frequencies such as 52.525 and specifically 223.5 (see rule 
>1.8.3).  That's why
>I'm confused about your recommendations for 220 and 6M.  Also, if you're going
>to move 60 KHz away from 146.52 to 146.58, why don't you go the 
>other direction
>to 146.43 and pick up all the Valley folks who hang out on the Valley simplex
>frequency?  Also, you'll want to check 432.2 USB since that's the frequency
>that the South Central Simplex Net uses for 432 sideband every Tuesday night.
>So... My recommendations would look something like this:

Craig, first off these suggestions have been published and mostly 
agreed with since the creation of the AK VHF-Up Group in 
2005.  Second I have already reminded folks to use these 
"recommendations".  If we change things at the last minute many will 
not hear of it and be calling on the "wrong" freq.  You are free to 
work the contest on any frequency not specifically banned by the 
rules.  Of course that excludes 146.52 and all repeaters, 
digi-peaters, and satellites (and no airborne ops).  No use of 
off-air coordination (prop-logs, chat-rooms, etc.)

>50.125
>52.525

Most 6m yagis do not tune that high, that is why 50.30 or 50.32 are 
commonly used throughout the US.  Most 6m-SSB folks do not have a 
dedicated vertical antenna for 6m-FM.  And because we established 
using 50.30 FM five years ago.  I have a 6m J-pole but it doesn't 
tune that high.  It was designed to work the Anchorage repeater on 
51.65 and 50.30 which were in use for FM several years ago.

>144.2       146.43

Again we established using 146.58 several years ago for use during 
the contest.  I can try spreading the word to check 146.43 (in 
addition).  But no one on the Peninsula is aware of the "Valley 
freq."  BTW isn't there also a "Peninsula Freq?"  So now we can try 
monitoring three different 2m-FM frequencies...that does not work in 
a contest.  You never find the other contestants as you are always on 
the "wrong" freq.  That is why we set up these suggested freq. in the 
first place.  There is nothing stopping folks from QSY to 146.43 to 
test the waters, but we wanted to have an established watering hole 
for 2m-FM in the contests and 146.58 was selected as not busy.

>220.1       223.5

I meant to write 223.5  (the few on 220-FM know what the simplex 
calling freq. is, anyway)

>432.2

432.100 is the standard SSB calling freq. nation-wide and most 
VHF-SSB ops know to look there during a contest.  The Simplex Net 
went and made their own freq. without researching what is standard 
practise (and what the VHF-Up Group has recommended for five 
years).  Again you can try that freq. "also" if you think folks monitor it.

>       446
>                 927.5
>1296.1     1294.5
>
>      I'm sure this will all work out fine, but I wanted to see if I 
> understood
>the "big picture."  Thanks for all your hard work.  See you in the morning.
>
>                                        73,
>
>                                         Craig, KL4E
>
>"Edward R. Cole" <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 2:22 AM
>-0800 wrote:
> >Just a reminder that the June ARRL VHF Contest is only a couple days away!
> >http://www.qsl.net/a/ak-vhf//Contests/
> >
> >Freq. Suggestions
> >50.125 SSB; 50.30 FM (simplex)
> >144.200 SSB, 146.58 FM
> >220.100 SSB, 222.35 FM
> >432.100 SSB, 446.00 FM
> >927.5 FM
> >1296.100 SSB, 1294.5 FM
> >
> >N6SPP, Eric, plans to be QRV on Sunday at KL7AA Club station:
> >0400-0500z 144.200 & 50.125 USB
> >0400-0500z 144.142  JT-65B/FSK-441
> >0400-0500z 50.260 ISCAT
> >1400z ms on 144.142 FSK-441
> >
> >KL7YK hopes to be active on Sunday 10am rover up on Anchorage Hillside.
> >
> >The AK-VHF Net will meet on 144.200 USB at 9am-10am , Saturday and
> >serve as a warm-up/wake-up before the contest begins.
> >
> >
> >
> >73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> >======================================
> >BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
> >EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w*, 3400-?
> >DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa at hotmail.com
> >======================================
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73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w*, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa at hotmail.com
======================================