[NLRS] ARRL VHF UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC) looking for public input

[Jim Froemke]

Education, expectations, station upgrade assistance and promotion are at a minimum necessary, in my opinion.

1.	EDUCATION because many owners of these VHF/UHF enabled rigs don't know what weak signals on the VHF/UHF bands is all about. We need to show them what's different and demonstrate the unique challenges of weak signal operation on the VHF/UHF bands. A frequent response is: "live is too short for QRP" which demonstrates the confusion that exists between "weak signal" and "QRP" operation.
		
2.	EXPECTATIONS because many FM and HF operators expect "instant gratification" from their rigs and aren't used to "listening for the weak ones". The usual response is: "Yes I tried it once and couldn't hear anyone. It must just be for line-of-sight."
		
3.	STATION UPGRADE ASSISTANCE because they don't have experience with what it takes to make weak signal contacts on the VHF/UHF bands. In particular low-cost DIY antennas, low-loss feedlines and simple push-up masts.  As an alternative, Rover operation needs to be highlighted. 
		- There are many single box rovers out there.
		
4.	PROMOTION because there is much competition for their discretionary time and funds. Unless weak signal operation on the VHF/UHF bands is actively promoted, they'll continue to invest in other activities. We need to stimulate a strong desire to pursue weak signal operation on the VHF/UHF bands while lowering the perceived complexity threshold. 
		- KISS and what you have will work with a little upgrading.

This is not so much a contest specific issue. Rather, it's how do we increase the overall weak signal activity on the VHF/UHF bands which includes casual QSOs as well as contest operation. We need to think outside the box (be it an ICOM 706 or YAESU 857).

Hope this helps.
73, Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of w0zq at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:29 AM
To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [NLRS] ARRL VHF UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC) looking for public input




Hello NLRS land -

The ARRL would like to encourage more participation in its several VHF/UHF contests held each year. Many of the HF transceivers sold in recent years include 50 MHz, and some also include the 144 and 432 MHz bands with multi-mode capabilities. The question at hand is how can we encourage more owners of such radios to utilize these bands and modes to participate in VHF/UHF contests?

The ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC) has been asked to consider this question, and to make recommendations to encourage, explore and expand the ARRL VHF and UHF contests and other operating activities by using the multi-band and multi-mode capabilities of modern transceivers and related equipment.

The VUAC would like to ask the Amateur Radio community to provide their comments and ideas for consideration. 

Please send any comments or ideas you have on this matter to your ARRL VUAC Division representative no later than July 1, 2011.  A listing of each Division’s VUAC representative can be found at http://www.arrl.org/arrl-staff-vuac-cac.  

For ARRL Dakota Division members, your VUAC rep is me.  For members in the Central Division, its Kevin Kaufhold, W9GKA at w9gka at arrl.net  . For members in the Midwest Divison its Mike King at scsueepe at mtcnet.net  .   For our Canadian members, its Gabor Horvath, VE7DXG, ve7dxg at arrl.net  .

73, Jon
W0ZQ
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