[K3PZN-List] September VHF QSO Party Around the Corner

[Stu Benner-W3STU]

One of the biggest and best VHF contests of the year is just around the
corner: the ARRL September VHF QSO Party. The contest runs from 1400 EDT on
Sat., Sept. 10 until 2300 EDT on Sun., Sept. 11.  Whether you are an
experienced VHF contester, have never operated in a VHF contest, or are
anywhere in between, this is one you'll not want to miss. You'll hear the
'big guns' and the 'little pistols' alike.

 

The contest exchange is simple: just call sign and grid square (signal
report is optional). For information about the Maidenhead Grid Square
System, visit http://www.arrl.org/grid-squares

 

The 'lion's share' of operation is on SSB and CW on all of the amateur bands
from 50 MHz to daylight. Overnight, when activity is typically a little
slow, there will be some stations on 50 MHz and 144 MHz WSJT . With the
upswing of the current solar cycle, expect interesting propagation
throughout the day and night, particularly on 50 MHz and 144 MHz.

 

If you only have FM voice capability, that's O.K. too. The usual
frequencies on the 'lower four' bands for FM are: 52.525, 146.55 (146.52 is
not allowed), 223.50, and 446.000 MHz.

 

After several years without a site, the Eastern Panhandle Amateur Radio Club
(Martinsburg, WV) is back in the contest. I've been involved with this club
for many years and we have a great time operating this contest. We have
placed as high as #3 in the country in the Limited Multioperator category.
EPARC, using the club call K8EP, will be operating from FM19aw at 2500 ft.
on the Tuscarora Mountains of Southern Pennsylvania.

 

If you are interested in operating, observing, or helping out at K8EP,
please contact me at w3stu at arrl.net right away. If you can't make it up to
our site, please listen around the VHF and up bands and make a few contacts
- the more stations the merrier! Who knows, you might just get bitten by the
VHF contesting / weak signal bug. Trust me, there's just no cure for it! J

 

For more information about the contest, including rules, visit the ARRL web
site at http://www.arrl.org/september-vhf-qso-party

 

 

Regards, 
Stu Benner (W3STU), Hampstead, MD
Secretary, EPARC 
Visit the Eastern Panhandle Amateur Radio Club web site at:
<http://www.k8ep.net/> http://www.k8ep.net