[NLRS] Suggested FM Simplex Freqs For Radio Contesting

[Richard Clem]

It's been a few years since I did any rover operation, but almost all of my FM
activity on 2 meters has been on 146.55.  In the Twin Cities, I've
occasionally put out calls on 146.46, since it seems to be the NLRS calling
frequency.  But I don't think I've ever made an FM QSO outside the Twin Cities
on anything other than 55.

So that would be my vote.  However, the only thing I'm not sure about is
whether this frequency is used in states with 20 KHz repeater spacing.  If
those states use a 20 KHz frequency, then it might be best to specify one of
the common channels between the 30 and 20 kHz areas, namely, 146.46 or
146.58.

I think all of my other FM QSO's have been on 223.5 or 446.0.  I don't think
I've ever worked anyone on 6 meter FM, contest or no contest, although I
occasionally put out a call on 52.525.

I think an FM category is a great idea, since there are a lot of people with
FM rigs, most of whom have probably decided that there's nothing interesting
to do with the rig.  To encourage activity, it might be worth considering
having one or more "big gun" stations concentrating on FM from "exotic"
locations.    That station could do most of the heavy lifting to work modest
stations.  For example, I bet a well-equipped station in St. Cloud or Eau
Claire could work quite a few mobile stations in the Twin Cities, or even guys
with HT's from good locations.  Perhaps offer a special QSL or some type of
award for FM stations making the "DX" contact.  I would even consider
soliciting contacts on repeaters.  That would disqualify the station for that
contest, but I think it would pique the interest of a lot of FM-only ops if
they realize that they can word "DX" from their mobile rig or even handheld. 
I suspect that such a strategy would pay off for everyone in the _next_
contest.

Now that I think about this, I wonder if a similar FRS/GMRS event with
suitable prior publicity might get a few people interested in Ham Radio in the
first place.  I think many people would be blown away to learn that their
cheap FRS radio can be used to make contacts several miles away (to someone in
a tall building).

73,
Rick W0IS