[NLRS] What's the problem with UHF (& microwave) contesting?

[Mary Brown]

Cheap way to get on 144, 222, 432 for those who only have an HF rig
http://transverters-store.com/ 144 & 222 are $75 432 is $95, sure you need
an amplifier stage after these if you want more than qrp but it will get you
on the higher bands... they are around 3 watts out. They sell an attenuator
board also. Add some switching from attenuator to the transverters and you
have 3 bands in a box. If enough people ask they may add 902 and 1296!

-----Original Message-----
From: NLRS [mailto:nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul Husby
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2016 5:57 PM
To: NRLS Reflector; badgercontesters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [NLRS] What's the problem with UHF (& microwave) contesting?



Back in the 80's when I was getting my multi-op station going, things were
really taking off all over.  We had saved a slot at 222 (just had to
re-crystal from 220), a new band came in at 902, KK7B developed the
'no-tune' transverters, and W3HQT made them available to all by starting up
DEMI.  Things were looking great!

Then we were given the "Limited Multioperator" category, and you could field
a competitive station with just 4 bands.  At first, that at least meant you
needed 1296, but nowadays you wouldn't think of substituting
1296 for 222.  So, forget the hassle and expense of anything for 902&up.
Multiops can really drive activity in a region, and I know it hurts that we
don't have one around here these days.  Always finding at least one signal
calling on a band makes a big difference.  Multiops take the lead, and if
they aren't on the higher bands, why should the little guy?

Then we got the "Limited Rover", and ditto to most of the above. Top it off
with the "3-Band Station", so you aren't even encouraged to get on the
fabulous 222 band.  A station with 432 and not 222 is almost ridiculous to
fire up for the UHF Contest, since practically nobody calls CQ on 432
anymore.  And if you built up your multiop with nothing above 432, then the
UHF Contest isn't going to be a big thrill for you either.  So we have
encouraged a collection of single-ops, multi-ops and rovers that are
discouraged from operating a UHF Contest.

The constant theory has been that these new categories increase activity by
encouraging stations with limited resources.  It was never clear to me that
we were ever discouraging those stations!  I don't think many people
seriously get on for the contests to collect the wallpaper or to see their
call higher up on a list.  Heck, since the complete results dropped out of
QST, how many people ever actually look to see where they ended up?  I think
most people get on just to have fun making contacts on these rare occasions
when activity is guaranteed.

If the changes we make don't result in more contacts on all bands, and if
they don't promote growing your station, then we are not headed in the right
direction.  The demise of what was a very fun UHF Contest is the most clear
proof of that.  The lagging activity in the September VHF Contest is further
evidence.  Only the June contest is in good health, and that thanks to the
huge influx of HF contesters who found their new radios all reach 6 meters.

One change that seems to be helping is the opening up of spotting and
internet chat forums.  That is especially valuable on 222 & above, where
sharp antennas make it so difficult to find contacts randomly.  Yet we were
barely given a chance to try it out, let alone develop it, in the UHF
Contest.

Gregg is right, we also need a simpler and less expensive means to reach
these bands.  The technology is out there, but that is another subject.

73
Paul W0UC
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