[PPRAANet] FW: [RMVHF] ARRL June VHF QSO Party 6/14-15

[Roger N0VR]

Additionally to Rick's comments, a modest antenna will work fine on 6m. As
an example, I use a 5/8 wave 2m mag mount on my truck for 6m. A 5/8 wave 2m
antenna will resonate as a near 1/4 wave on 6m and works well.

As an example, I worked a station in grid FN31 (Connecticut) while driving
in town last week. My rig is a FT100D (100 watts) and the antenna is the 5/8
wave 2m antenna described above.

I have even placed the above antenna on a metal plate outside the window and
made lots of 6m contacts. Even a dipole taped to the shack wall will net you
lots of sporadic E contacts on 6m. I've worked stations on the east coast
that were S9+20 and they were using an attic mounted dipole.

You will find that 6m will be quiet for a time, and then as if by magic, the
band will open up. These openings may last just a few minutes or several
hours. Some openings will only net you a single quick QSO (exchange grid and
call only), and some will allow you to ragchew for an hour (if the other
station is not anxious to go work more stations that is). Try 6m and see why
it is called the "Magic Band".

Granted, the vertical polarization will attenuate a horizontal polarized
signal about 20db, but you will find that this primarily affects local
(line-of-sight) signals. Sporadic E propagation will vary the polarization
of your signal as it bounces off the E layer. 

Collect QSL's from 100 grids (on 6m) and earn the coveted VUCC award from
ARRL. I earned my VUCC on 6m in one day of the contest (Saturday) during the
2006 June VHF contest. Granted, you then have to QSL and wait for your cards
to arrive in order to apply for the award, but that is just part of the fun.

The exchange in the contest is just your call and grid square. If you are in
Colorado Springs, your grid is DM78. The boundary to Grid DM79 is just north
of the Springs about a 1/2 mile north of the Interquest Parkway exit on I25.

Find your grid on a map at http://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/fullScreen.php

So, get that vhf capable rig on the air this weekend and share in the fun. 

Roger, N0VR

-----Original Message-----
From: ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick Brown
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:14 PM
To: ppraanet at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PPRAANet] FW: [RMVHF] ARRL June VHF QSO Party 6/14-15

Folks,
 
Anyone with a DC to Daylight rig that includes six and two meters can get on
an make some contacts this weekend.  While most activity is horizontally
polarized don't hesitate to give it a try with any antenna you have.  This
evening there were six meter contacts from Colorado stations to Japan and
some two  meter E-Skip as well.  It could be a great weekend on VHF.  Hope
that I work you.
 
73,
 
Rick
K0SU
 
-----Original Message-----
From: rmvhf-bounces at rmvhf.org [mailto:rmvhf-bounces at rmvhf.org] On Behalf Of
Ken Anderson
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:32 PM
To: gmc at mailman.qth.net; RMVHF
Subject: [RMVHF] ARRL June VHF QSO Party 6/14-15


GMCC/RMVHF:

This is a reminder that the ARRL June 14-15 VHF QSO Party is this coming
weekend.  This is the biggest vhf contest of the year when a lot of rovers
and portable stations get on to activate grids all across the US and Canada.
6 and 2m are the most popular of the vhf bands used with most people running
50 to 100 watts on the bands to a variety of vhf antennas from dipoles to
yagis.  While the gasoline costs might limit some roving, those who are
still planning to rove will be eager for your contact.

Even getting on for a few QSOs are helpful to the vhf contest community,
especially if you are in a grid with little or no vhf activity.  If you can
only operate mobile, try to get on the calling frequencies - 50.125 and
144.200 - and take along a grid map so you can reference which multiplier to
give out.

Hope to hear you on this weekend.

73 Ken, W0ETT