[NLRS] northern lights radio society or contest society

[W0ZQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/6/2003 10:10:08 AM Central Standard Time, k0gjx@msn.com 
writes:
Mark
Bill is correct 25 plus years ago there was more activity!! But also there 
was no internet and little fm/ repeater operation. k0mqs was very active then 
operating every nite, working me in sd ( early 70 tys) and guys out to about 300 
miles in all directions. 


Hi guys.   I might disagree on the activity thing.   It all depends on how 
you define "activity" ... thats a big word that covers a lot of territory.     

Over the last couple of years there has been a lot of discussion regarding 
how VHF activity is declining, but I continue to look for the definitive 
analysis that provides this conclusion other than the seat of the pants analysis that 
are popular at the water cooler.  Yes, I do believe that compared to say 25 
years ago that what we call casual VHF weak signal operating may indeed be 
down, that is the ability to generate a casual QSO on any given evening on 144.200 
or 50.125 may be decreasing.   On the other hand, when compared to the same 
timebase (ie; 25 yrs ago), we have many more VHF capable stations and those 
stations have many more bands AND operating modes .... that is documented in 
comparing VHF contest scores for today vs 25 years ago, so there has been growth 
(as measured in the number of stations with VHF capability).     Look at the 
NLRS .... 10 years ago (or so), it was much smaller, not as well organized, and 
not as dynamic.   Today we have around 65 members and on any given 2nd Sat. in 
the month, 20 to 30 of them show up for a club breakfast.   For this years 10 
GHz contest NLRS sent in (est) 20 logs .... none of that happened 25 years 
ago.  So, until someone provides some data with an analysis that documents that 
activity is down (from 25 years ago), I disagree.   In part, that disagreement 
is based on what we each have as a definition for "activity".

By the way, as Rich and other have pointed out, many of us have many amateur 
radio interests (along with a job, family, etc), that also defuses our ham 
radio activity (but also makes amateur radio what it is for me - fun).   I was on 
160m for the ARRL contest working weak signals (just like of VHF).   The fun 
thing about 160m is that RG58 (man, is that stuff puny !!) is great stuff !   

Great discussion.   Hope to hear you all on the bands.

73, Jon
W0ZQ


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