[NLRS] Suggested FM Simplex Freqs For Radio Contesting

[w0zq at aol.com]

Hi Jerry -

How are things in sunny Iowa?   

Regarding FM and 6m E's, I have little experience here, hence my many questions.  While I understand your comments about the FM band being 2 MHz higher and the need for a stronger signal (than SSB/CW), I still think that during a "good" E opening, say during the June contest, that the 6m FM segment could be more congested.  Hence my question was this ... if this happens, where do stations expand to?   Do they keep moving in 15 KHz steps above 52.525?   It sounds like a wonderful problem, but I think its possible, so I am just trying to be preemptive as best possible.  

Yes, there has been few FM entries in that past.  That was because 1) the FM only crowd has to compete against us weak signal boys .... no contest, and 2) it was only rarely encouraged, mostly through the efforts of local clubs.   And yes, the FM-Only category will not be very popular in NoWhere, MN, or even where you live in Iowa, but think about the fun that we could have if we have a tropo opening to Mpls or Chicago, etc., where FM is very usable.  During the September VHF contest a year or two ago I was rag chewing on 2m FM with some guys in Iowa when I was trying to use 2m FM to set up a local 10gig Q ... that was from my car (5/8 wave vertical and 50 watts).  

Finally, I would encourage everyone to read the rationale that accompanied this rule change.  You can see that the thrust of this new category isn't aimed at most NLRS op's (other than to make more contest contacts for us !).  Its aimed at a difference audience that is much much MUCH larger than us weak signals guys.   

Rationale: Many new hams are introduced to the hobby via "FM clubs" focused on the FM mode. Radio
manufacturers direct much attention to this group. A review of recent QSTs reveals a very high
percentage of advertising for multi-band FM only radios which account for a large pool of transceivers in
use today. To attract new contesters, this proposed rule change would encourage such radio owners to
expand their knowledge and experience with V/UHF contesting. The present ARRL V/UHF contest rules
structure does not encourage the use of the FM mode. Limiting power to 100W and bands to 50, 146,
223, and 440 MHz could allow FM participants to be competitive without requiring transverters or
external power amplifiers. A well equipped FM-only contester could own a modern HF+ 6m radio plus a
tri-band FM-only radio.

manufacturers direct much attention to this group. A review of recent QSTs reveals a very high
percentage of advertising for multi-band FM only radios which account for a large pool of transceivers in
use today. To attract new contesters, this proposed rule change would encourage such radio owners to
expand their knowledge and experience with V/UHF contesting. The present ARRL V/UHF contest rules
structure does not encourage the use of the FM mode. Limiting power to 100W and bands to 50, 146,
223, and 440 MHz could allow FM participants to be competitive without requiring transverters or
external power amplifiers. A well equipped FM-only contester could own a modern HF+ 6m radio plus a
tri-band FM-only radio.


73, Jon
W0ZQ