[KL7AA] September VHF Results

[Brandon Clark]

Hello group,

I really wanted to thank everyone for the support this year. The 
contests turned out to be a ton of fun for all, as well as being very 
practical. There's no better way to map out simplex signal paths and 
test emergency gear than to actually go out and make it happen.

Lessons Learned:

_Mobile Operations_

For this event I was able to get my rover set up properly with two yagis 
on a rotator, APRSDroid using offline maps, and so forth. And wouldn't 
you know it . . . everything worked. I always say, never let reality get 
in the way of a cool idea!

I also think something like this could be very useful for emergencies 
and supported events. Wayne Overbeck's (N6NB) rover group developed what 
they call "Toolbox Stations" for vehicles. http://n6nb.com/toolbox.htm. 
It's like a go-kit for microwave contesting, but a similar idea could be 
developed here with a focus on VHF/UHF and winlink. Imagine having 
quick-attach, quick-deploy, mobile go kits with power, gain, and packet 
capability that can go anywhere a truck can reach. . . . _
_

_Simplex Paths_

My furthest contact from Flattop was 75 miles out to Skwentna. N7QVH was 
out at his cabin and happened to be on the air with a very strong 
signal. Ed, KL7UW, was also strong out in Nikiski. The operating 
location at the corner of Alpweg and Meadow is one to keep in mind.

I was able to get both BP42 and BP52 activated this time. Mike, KL6M, 
took time away from working moonbounce to work both locations on 6 M and 
2 M. BP52 was 62.2 miles, and BP42 was 65.3 miles. Not very surprising, 
except that neither Mike or I were in high locations, and Mike was only 
using a standard vertical antenna (the yagi stack was out of operation). 
On my end I was staring at a wall of trees both times. I think there is 
definitely a lot more potential for simplex work up there that needs to 
be explored.

_Next steps_

Kenai: The contests actually run through Sunday, so maybe next time I'll 
do a Sunday run down to Homer to light up a few more grids. Or maybe 
someone knows some mobiles in that area who could put those grids on the 
air?

Digital Modes: KL6M's signals were surprisingly strong S4s and S3s out 
in BP42 and BP52. My guess is that even a modest home station in 
Anchorage could work those grids using something like PSK31. It could be 
useful (in many ways - not just contesting) to work on building up the 
digital capabilities of local home stations. And it would be fun too! 
Imagine adding a psk31-FM stop during the Tuesday simplex nets.

Fairbanks: As far as I've heard, the grids north of Talkeetna remain 
un-worked during the last two events. Ideas are starting to fly around 
though -bouncing signals off of Denali, meteor scatter paths, WSJT 
modes, massively high power . . . . This could end up being a pretty 
cool project to get the south-central "brain trust" working on.

Club Coordination: With every group I talk to up here I find 
enthusiastic, supportive operators. What about getting the various 
Alaska clubs to actively coordinate on events? There's no better way to 
drum up interest in ham radio and bring in new members than to have 
really fun state-wide events happening.

73,

Brandon Clark, KL7BSC

PS: QRZ has a few updated photos from the event.