[NLRS] Two new VHF contest operating catagories

[w0zq at aol.com]

Hello NLRS land
 
The ARRL's VHF/UHF Advisory Committee has proposed the addition of two new VHF contest operating categories.   The proposal has been accepted by the League and it is my understanding that these two new categories will be available starting with the January VHF contest (and as details are worked out).   The full proposal put forth by the VUAC (with rational) can be found in the VUAC's January 2012 report found at 
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Committee%20Reports/2011/July/Doc_32.pdf
 
The first new operating category is called "Single Operator Three Band" (or SO3B for short).   This new operating category is open to those who operate on 50, 144, and/or 432 MHz only with output power not to exceed 100 watts PEP on 50 and 144 MHz and 50 watts PEP on 432 MHz.   This new category will be available for the January, June, and September VHF contests.
 
The second new operating category is called "Single-Operator FM Only".  All contest contacts are made using FM only on the bands of 50, 146, 223, and 440 MHz with output power not to exceed 100 watts (on any band).   Operation can be from any one fixed location such as a home station, a portable location, or a hill top.
 
Again, its my understanding that these two new operating categories will be available starting with the 2013 January VHF contest.
 
73, Jon
W0ZQ