[PaQSO] FM activity

[K3YD@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/17/2003 20:38:36, w3jxp@adelphia.net writes:

<< I would like to see 2 FM dropped altogether from the
Party. I don't live exactly in the "sticks" but I know the stations in the
South Eastern part of the state have a much greater chance of making a large
bunch of 2 M contacts than I do. I don't know how many 2 FM contacts were
made down there, but it's sure to be more than in any part of the state. >>

Being a "Southeast Guy"  I sure agree about the # of QSO's workable from here 
compared to most of the rest of the state.  On year I had to visit a friend 
at the hospital on PAQSO weekend--before I headed off to PIK to be part of the 
N3GWR operation.  
    I left the Lehigh Valley Hospital center (LEH) and quickly made about a 
dozen Q's operating mobile. (50 W. and 5/8 wave vert.)  I crossed into NHA and 
worked a bunch more adding several counties and NNJ sect as I climbed the Blue 
Mt. on Route 33.  I rolled into MOE on the ridge-top and worked 8 more Q's, 
then picked up two more in the Stroudsburg area.  Then, NOTHING!  I climbed a 
pretty good ridge going into PIK on PA 402.  NOTHING!  Drove across the Pocono 
plateau to the contest site.  NOTHING.

    I think that much of PA would be like my MOE/PIK experience.  If a 
station is in/near an urban area (Phila., Pittsburgh, Allentown/Bethlehem, 
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, or on a hill with a good view of one of those areas, a number of 
2M. FM Q's are possible.  In the rest of the state, even from a hilltop, the 
2 M. FM activity just isn't there.

    I would think that 6 Meters, because of it's greater range and DX 
potential, especially on SSB/CW, has more potential for PAQP activity especially as 
radios with 6 meter coverage proliferate.  Comments from the avid VHF 
contingent?

73, Blair k3yd