From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Sep  7 00:55:15 2019
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2019 20:55:15 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 7 Sept. - 144.200 USB
Message-ID: <201909070455.x874tGCU023678@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

The net will begin at 9:30am on 144.200 USB.  I will also monitor 223.50 FM.

One week until the Sept. ARRL VHF Contest:
https://www.qsl.net/ak-vhf/Alaska_VHFUp_Calendar_Sep2019.pdf

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7bsc at gmail.com  Mon Sep  9 20:01:23 2019
From: kl7bsc at gmail.com (Brandon Clark)
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2019 16:01:23 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] September VHF
Message-ID: <CA+qrvM_SXKzwuJssZhNppdeO=jVVDEYOFJ+QG9Y245debFG+zA@mail.gmail.com>

Hello group,

It's that time again - the September VHF contest starts this Saturday at
10.

I'll be doing an abbreviated Rover route this time around, concentrating on
the most productive spots around Anchorage. I'll start out at the Mt Baldy
Trailhead above eagle River at 10, and will stay there until things quiet
down a bit (probably an hour or two).

My next site will be in BP41. I still haven't decided on whether to set up
at the Point Woronzof Overlook or in Kinkaid Park. The Woronzof site gives
me a better view towards the Kenai and then valley, while Kinkaid Park had
a slight elevation advantage (albeit hampered by trees and rolling hills).
Either way will be fun though.

The last site of the day will be on Turnagain Arm, right near the Falls
Creek Trail (check Google maps). There is a turnout there which gives me a
decent shot back to Anchorage while still being inside BP50.

What I could really use is another mobile or two to activate some of these
grids with me. The border between BP41 and BP51 is right near the AARC
RSOC, so with a travel distance of just a few blocks and a mag mount
antenna you can rove in Anchorage. If anyone wants to make a quick run out
to the Indian area to help activate BP50 that would be great too.

Contact me if you have questions or want to join in.
73

Brandon Clark, KL7BSC

From kl7bsc at gmail.com  Fri Sep 13 00:53:18 2019
From: kl7bsc at gmail.com (Brandon Clark)
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:53:18 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Rover Update
Message-ID: <CA+qrvM947omzJ0tMKZSDyZ8xNsCbT1L702J9oGBtEzFMnom+Vw@mail.gmail.com>

Hello group,

Just a quick update for this weekend's contest: I'm going old school for
this contest and will be running FM only with the Yaesu 8900 in my truck,
and whip antennas. That gives me my usual three bands (52, 146, 430) with
plenty of power for the Anchorage bowl.

Going to see how it works out with just the gear that's already in the
truck. Almost all of my contacts in these events have been local. Operating
from high sites I have a feeling I won't lose more than a contact or two
compared with using the yagis. Should be a good "proof of concept" for
roving with street legal gear instead of the formula one stuff, lol.

Keep an ear on APRS for my beacons. The contest starts at 10.
73,

Brandon, KL7BSC

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Sep 13 03:11:05 2019
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 23:11:05 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Rover Update
In-Reply-To: <CA+qrvM947omzJ0tMKZSDyZ8xNsCbT1L702J9oGBtEzFMnom+Vw@mail.g
	mail.com>
References: <CA+qrvM947omzJ0tMKZSDyZ8xNsCbT1L702J9oGBtEzFMnom+Vw@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <201909130711.x8D7B70C006064@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

Thanks, Brandon.

This will serve to remind everyone that the AK-VHF Net will begin at 
9:30am this Saturday on 144.200 USB and run until the 10:00am when 
the Sept. ARRL VHF Contest begins.  Most on the net will make initial 
contest contacts using SSB on the same frequency.

All bands from 50-MHz and up are usable in the contest with any mode 
that does not utilize a repeater.  Details:
https://www.qsl.net/ak-vhf/Alaska_VHFUp_Calendar_Sep2019.pdf

Contest exchange is four digit grid square (signal reports optional).

I plan to operational on 50, 144, 223.50FM, and 432 MHz.  I can 
operate SSB or FM except on 222-MHz.  I also have 927.50FM and 1296 
gear should anyone want to try those bands (schedule me on either 
144.200 or 146.52).  Those operating FM-only should contact me on 
146.52 to coordinate operating other bands.  Good luck in the 
contest! (its all about activity on our VHF bands).

See you on Saturday.

73, Ed - KL7UW, BP40

At 08:53 PM 9/12/2019, Brandon Clark wrote:
>Hello group,
>
>Just a quick update for this weekend's contest: I'm going old school for
>this contest and will be running FM only with the Yaesu 8900 in my truck,
>and whip antennas. That gives me my usual three bands (52, 146, 430) with
>plenty of power for the Anchorage bowl.
>
>Going to see how it works out with just the gear that's already in the
>truck. Almost all of my contacts in these events have been local. Operating
>from high sites I have a feeling I won't lose more than a contact or two
>compared with using the yagis. Should be a good "proof of concept" for
>roving with street legal gear instead of the formula one stuff, lol.
>
>Keep an ear on APRS for my beacons. The contest starts at 10.
>73,
>
>Brandon, KL7BSC
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7bsc at gmail.com  Fri Sep 13 12:07:27 2019
From: kl7bsc at gmail.com (Brandon Clark)
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2019 08:07:27 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Rover Update
In-Reply-To: <201909130711.x8D7B70C006064@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
References: <CA+qrvM947omzJ0tMKZSDyZ8xNsCbT1L702J9oGBtEzFMnom+Vw@mail.gmail.com>
	<201909130711.x8D7B70C006064@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
Message-ID: <CA+qrvM-BNh_7_3H+p8w=_6Xi2dWZ12A48tSy4FmPhMYpiUZd=Q@mail.gmail.com>

That's a good point about coordinating on 146.52 Ed. Everyone remind your
fellow hams to check in on that frequency throughout the day and you'll
hear activity there. (Down south the 6 M band is the activity center, but
up here it's 2 M)
Brandon

On Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 11:11 PM Edward R Cole <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:

> Thanks, Brandon.
>
> This will serve to remind everyone that the AK-VHF Net will begin at
> 9:30am this Saturday on 144.200 USB and run until the 10:00am when
> the Sept. ARRL VHF Contest begins.  Most on the net will make initial
> contest contacts using SSB on the same frequency.
>
> All bands from 50-MHz and up are usable in the contest with any mode
> that does not utilize a repeater.  Details:
> https://www.qsl.net/ak-vhf/Alaska_VHFUp_Calendar_Sep2019.pdf
>
> Contest exchange is four digit grid square (signal reports optional).
>
> I plan to operational on 50, 144, 223.50FM, and 432 MHz.  I can
> operate SSB or FM except on 222-MHz.  I also have 927.50FM and 1296
> gear should anyone want to try those bands (schedule me on either
> 144.200 or 146.52).  Those operating FM-only should contact me on
> 146.52 to coordinate operating other bands.  Good luck in the
> contest! (its all about activity on our VHF bands).
>
> See you on Saturday.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, BP40
>
> At 08:53 PM 9/12/2019, Brandon Clark wrote:
> >Hello group,
> >
> >Just a quick update for this weekend's contest: I'm going old school for
> >this contest and will be running FM only with the Yaesu 8900 in my truck,
> >and whip antennas. That gives me my usual three bands (52, 146, 430) with
> >plenty of power for the Anchorage bowl.
> >
> >Going to see how it works out with just the gear that's already in the
> >truck. Almost all of my contacts in these events have been local.
> Operating
> >from high sites I have a feeling I won't lose more than a contact or two
> >compared with using the yagis. Should be a good "proof of concept" for
> >roving with street legal gear instead of the formula one stuff, lol.
> >
> >Keep an ear on APRS for my beacons. The contest starts at 10.
> >73,
> >
> >Brandon, KL7BSC
> >______________________________________________________________
> >ak-vhf mailing list
> >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
> >
> >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>    http://www.kl7uw.com
> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>    dubususa at gmail.com
>
>

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Fri Sep 13 19:34:27 2019
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:34:27 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Rover Update
In-Reply-To: <CA+qrvM-BNh_7_3H+p8w=_6Xi2dWZ12A48tSy4FmPhMYpiUZd=Q@mail.g
	mail.com>
References: <CA+qrvM947omzJ0tMKZSDyZ8xNsCbT1L702J9oGBtEzFMnom+Vw@mail.gmail.com>
	<201909130711.x8D7B70C006064@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>
	<CA+qrvM-BNh_7_3H+p8w=_6Xi2dWZ12A48tSy4FmPhMYpiUZd=Q@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <201909132334.x8DNYWf4016577@mail47c28.carrierzone.com>

Brandon,

Glad you realize that.  2m is the standard-reliable VHF band for 
south central AK.

146.52 FM is well watched by the majority for simplex contact so best 
to be monitored.  Secondarily, I would suggest 223.50 FM since that 
it the most active frequency on the 222 band (SSB is rare).  But 
range is not as dependable (though prop sometimes exceeds 
2m).  446.00 FM would be my third recommendation to watch.

In Anchorage 52.525 FM is used frequently but not outside the metro 
area.  My 6m antenna SWR is too high to operate at 52.525 and prefer 
something like 50.350 to run FM.  50.312 and 50.313 are now standard 
digital frequencies so 50.300 it no longer a good FM 
choice.  50.190-50.210 is the 6m-eme sub-band (all 6m eme is now 
digital).  I can try running FM on my moxon which works 50.100 thru 
50.250 with good SWR.  It is Horz-pol, though.

I can monitor 146.52 and 223.50 continuously with separate 
radios/antenna (FT-736R/vertical and BCM-220/dual yagi).  Normally, I 
will monitor 50.125 USB with my KX3+KXPA100 and  operate144.200 or 
432.200 USB using the K3+xvtrs+amps.  144, 432, 927.50, and 1296 
share a common transmission line so must be switched with only one 
band in use at a time.  Thus I suggest meeting on 146.52 before 
changing bands so everyone is on the same "page" (frequency/mode).

Not sure if I will try 2m-eme during the weekend as I have not had 
time to setup and pre-test everything.  Moon is visible 0530z to 
1530z (930pm - 530am local time Sat-Sunday as contest ends at 0359z 
on Monday (659pm Sunday local).  Moon is low for good eme view this weekend.

Hope to see a lot of VHF activity using the contest this weekend.

73, Ed - KL7UW



At 08:07 AM 9/13/2019, you wrote:
>That's a good point about coordinating on 146.52 Ed. Everyone remind your
>fellow hams to check in on that frequency throughout the day and you'll
>hear activity there. (Down south the 6 M band is the activity center, but
>up here it's 2 M)
>Brandon
>
>On Thu, Sep 12, 2019, 11:11 PM Edward R Cole <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:
>
> > Thanks, Brandon.
> >
> > This will serve to remind everyone that the AK-VHF Net will begin at
> > 9:30am this Saturday on 144.200 USB and run until the 10:00am when
> > the Sept. ARRL VHF Contest begins.  Most on the net will make initial
> > contest contacts using SSB on the same frequency.
> >
> > All bands from 50-MHz and up are usable in the contest with any mode
> > that does not utilize a repeater.  Details:
> > https://www.qsl.net/ak-vhf/Alaska_VHFUp_Calendar_Sep2019.pdf
> >
> > Contest exchange is four digit grid square (signal reports optional).
> >
> > I plan to operational on 50, 144, 223.50FM, and 432 MHz.  I can
> > operate SSB or FM except on 222-MHz.  I also have 927.50FM and 1296
> > gear should anyone want to try those bands (schedule me on either
> > 144.200 or 146.52).  Those operating FM-only should contact me on
> > 146.52 to coordinate operating other bands.  Good luck in the
> > contest! (its all about activity on our VHF bands).
> >
> > See you on Saturday.
> >
> > 73, Ed - KL7UW, BP40
> >
> > At 08:53 PM 9/12/2019, Brandon Clark wrote:
> > >Hello group,
> > >
> > >Just a quick update for this weekend's contest: I'm going old school for
> > >this contest and will be running FM only with the Yaesu 8900 in my truck,
> > >and whip antennas. That gives me my usual three bands (52, 146, 430) with
> > >plenty of power for the Anchorage bowl.
> > >
> > >Going to see how it works out with just the gear that's already in the
> > >truck. Almost all of my contacts in these events have been local.
> > Operating
> > >from high sites I have a feeling I won't lose more than a contact or two
> > >compared with using the yagis. Should be a good "proof of concept" for
> > >roving with street legal gear instead of the formula one stuff, lol.
> > >
> > >Keep an ear on APRS for my beacons. The contest starts at 10.
> > >73,
> > >
> > >Brandon, KL7BSC
> > >______________________________________________________________
> > >ak-vhf mailing list
> > >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
> > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > >Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
> > >
> > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> > 73, Ed - KL7UW
> >    http://www.kl7uw.com
> > Dubus-NA Business mail:
> >    dubususa at gmail.com
> >
> >
>______________________________________________________________
>ak-vhf mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/ak-vhf
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:ak-vhf at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7bsc at gmail.com  Sun Sep 15 00:34:44 2019
From: kl7bsc at gmail.com (Brandon Clark)
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2019 20:34:44 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] Log Submitted
Message-ID: <CA+qrvM9kjwZx7=NkkDJiLftVbEajL684CTqcAV1gjJyniUVb5Q@mail.gmail.com>

Hello group,

This wraps up a fun afternoon of contesting. I've been stuck doing a lot of
studying lately, so I didn't have much time to prep for the event. With
September being one of the slower VHF events I decided to see how it would
go entering as an FM-only rover and using just the gear that was already in
my truck. It actually went quite well.

Running with just the FM rig in the vehicle had a few advantages. First, I
didn't have to set up the rotator, feed lines, and yagi  antennas like
usual. (I didn't have anything to put away either.)
Second, It was a lot of fun to work with my mobile rig for an extended
period of time. Usually I only get to make quick "Hello, goodbye" type QSOs
while on the road, so it was nice to give the mobile a real workout.
Lastly, I didn't miss out on any contacts by going FM-only. Almost all of
the activity in south-central is FM, so that worked out great. Also,
working from good locations meant I got by just fine with whip antennas.

I had my doubts that I would be able to do much with just the gear in thee
truck, but it goes to show that you never know until you try. If anyone
else is interested in trying contesting just send me an email.
73,
Brandon

From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Sep 21 02:56:26 2019
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:56:26 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 21 Sept. - 14.200 USB
Message-ID: <201909210656.x8L6uSCG030959@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

The net will begin at 9:30am on 144.200 USB

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


From kl7uw at acsalaska.net  Sat Sep 28 02:52:31 2019
From: kl7uw at acsalaska.net (Edward R Cole)
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 22:52:31 -0800
Subject: [AK-VHF] NET: 28 Sept. - 146.52 FM
Message-ID: <201909280652.x8S6qYXT025830@mail46c28.carrierzone.com>

The net will begin at 9:30am on 146.52 FM (Last Saturday of the month).
Cooler temps as we go into late fall - are you ready for winter??

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
   dubususa at gmail.com 


