[PaQSO] VHF Operation

[Mark Kempisty]

All,

Hal's suggestion may be difficult since PA is so mountainous.  The Pack-Rats
head to the top of Camelback every June VHF contest and it is a lot of work for
them.  But if they weren't up that high they wouldn't get the grid squares that
they do.

The past couple of years I've done a respectable amount of VHF work.  I worked
one friend of mine from 80 all the way to 440 (except 6) which is when we both
ran out of equipment.  I usually hang out on the suggested 2M frequency and
pick up whoever happens by. A lot of people jump in for a little time there.
But that only gives me BUX and the surrounding counties.  I'll probably hook up
the car 2/440 antenna to the 706 while in CLI just to see if I can grab
anything.  As for 6, I'm debating a dipole or a hamstick (maybe two and a
dipole mount).

-- Mark N3GNW

Hal Offutt wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
>
> Good to see so much discussion here.  That really shows how deep the
> interest is in our favorite event!
>
> Someone asked about the best time to QSY to 6 meters.  I'm always surprised
> when someone mentions VHF operation in the context of the PAQP, because in
> over 15 years of operating this contest, I have never operated 6 meters.  I
> don't even own a rig that can operate on 6 meters.  I may have had a couple
> of contacts on 2 meters one year but operating these bands is not on my
> scope because I am kept so busy on HF.  There are always at least three HF
> bands open in this contest so it's more than enough to keep me busy.  I
> suspect that most ops are the same.
>
> But I do think it would be really fun to operate the VHF bands in a
> PAQP-type event.  Given that the October event is already so busy, what I'd
> like to see is a VHF version of the PAQP around the April (six months from
> October).   I think that would be really fun (and it would give me the
> excuse to go out and buy a new rig that has these bands).  It also might
> have the benefit of getting some of the newer hams interested in upgrading
> so they can work the October event.
>
> Does anyone else think this is a cool idea?
>
> 73,
>
> Hal W1NN (aka W3USA/m)
> Long Pond PA  (presently in Japan)
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