[PaQSO] VHF Operation

[BlairBates@aol.com]

One year I had a late start in PAQP because I had to visit a family member in 
the hospital at noon Saturday of PAQP weekend.  I left the hospital in LEH 
and had no trouble making about 15 quick mobile 2 meter Q's.  I crossed the 
line into NHA and a dozen or more Q's were in my log book.  I stopped on a 
ridge just past the NHA/MOE line and worked 8 more.  (That county line, on PA 
33, is in a saddle with poor line of sight to east and west).  After that, I 
struggled!.  I barely made 2 more 2 meter Q's to get the 500 point bonus in 
MOE.  I worked NOBODY from PIK--in spite of being on a high plateau.

Bottom line?  Except for superbly located mountaintop stations, current VHF 
activity is mostly limited to large urban population centers.  PAQP has 
developed as a mostly HF contest 'cause HF is best able blanket the whole of 
this hilly state.

73 de k3yd