[PVRCNC] Re: [PVRC] Comments on the PVRC Circle Project

[Jim WW4M]

Having operated in VHF and UHF contests from FM18, FM19 and FM05 and
currently residing in FM05, I support the proposal to adopt a circle
that favors the the folks up north for VHF and UHF contests. There's a
lot more action in PA/MD/DC than there is in NC, and this makes a lot
of sense.

(My first SSB contact was on 2m, not HF, from FM18. It always seemed
hard to work folks in NC from the MDC area (with the exception being
the time I worked AA4NC from a ski lift in southern PA). I can
remember pointing our antennas south to try to drum up some contacts
to the south but getting so responses compared with pointing notheast.
)

 73, Jim WW4M


>
>
> On 6/8/07, Jim Jordan, K4QPL <k4qpl at nc.rr.com> wrote:
> > Jack,
> >
> > I second the comments in your email--both parts.
> >
> > I also believe that the members in North Carolina who are potentially
> > affected by a U/VHF circle move to include W3SO do not oppose this. While we
> > do have members who participate in the vhf contests, to my knowledge we do
> > not have anyone down here who has invested in vhf capability to anything
> > like the same degree as Marty has.
> >
> > This is also being copied to the NC reflector. I would ask Henry, W2DZO as
> > chairman of the western NC chapter to look at it from their standpoint since
> > a separate vhf circle would affect them the most.  If anyone else in NC has
> > any objections to your well reasoned request, let them speak now or forever
> > hold their peace!
> >
> > Absent something unexpected, I think we would support a decision along these
> > lines by the officers and trustees.
> >
> > Regards.
> >
> > Jim, K4QPL
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <K4VV at aol.com>
> > To: <PVRC at mailman.qth.net>
> > Cc: < K4VV at aol.com>
> > Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 2:32 PM
> > Subject: [PVRC] Comments on the PVRC Circle Project
> >
> >
> > Comments on the PVRC Circle Project
> >
> > My hat is off to Jim, WX3B, and the leadership team for engaging
> > the lightening rod initiative to revisit the Circle.  Our members have
> > put a lot of energy into the discussion and decision process.
> > Congratulations all!
> >
> > I am writing to recommend an alternative Circle for V/UHF.
> >
> > In 1997, our President Rich, KE3Q, tackled the Circle issue.
> > PVRC accomplished a significant expansion of our terrain
> > (above water) where potential new members and future contesters
> > lived.  A serious enhancement!  My friend Marty, W3YOZ, and I
> > were present in the meeting when the proposal was approved
> > which added coverage in North Carolina, West Virginia and
> > Pennsylvania.  Rich presented the new Circle using a very large
> > map.  Marty was delighted to see that his Wopsononock Mountain
> > property, near Altoona, PA, was just inside the revised Circle.
> >
> > Encouraged by new Circle, Marty began a building program at
> > his PA site, licensed as W3SO.  He built an 8'x16' cabin and
> > put up two towers and a small group of us began to be active i
> > n the three ARRL V/UHF Contests.  Over time, he added another
> > building (16'x24'), which connected in an "L" with the smaller one.
> > Two years later the third, larger building was added for workshop,
> > repeater, emergency communications, storage, meals, etc.
> > The tower and antenna farms and radio gear continued to improve,
> > with many of the W3SO teams purchasing equipment, and helped
> > with transceivers, amplifiers, towers, antennas, and station
> > integration and maintenance, QSL'ing and operating.
> >
> > In 2004, I led an examination of the Circle, with active support and
> > collaboration from N3OC and WX3B.  Our objectives were to
> > include a dynamic team of Contesters in the Winston-Salem
> > area and to reach further SSE to include N4AF into the Circle
> > "drawn with a Crayon."  Precise tools for accuracy were becoming
> > available, but were very awkward to use, and such precision was
> > not being employed by the community.  It was not in our interest
> > then to attempt to push the community towards a more precise
> > methodology.  W3SO remained in the Circle "drawn with a Crayon."
> >
> > W3SO has become the reliable contact in FN00 while ranking
> > in the top 3 in the nation in the limited Multi category.  The W3SO
> > activity has been a substantial contributor to PVRC's #1 ranking
> > over the last four years.
> >
> > For these reasons, I would encourage the PVRC membership
> > and officers to adopt the new Circle that is currently proposed for
> > HF Contests and a modified V/UHF Circle that is tilted to the
> > North to include the W3SO while excluding some North Carolina
> > members on the southern lobe.
> >
> > Marty has been a PVRC member for 47 years, and he has finally
> > reached his objective of making a serious contribution in PVRC
> > competition.  More than a dozen others have joined him in this
> > adventure.  We need ten more years!
> >
> > I am sure that our leadership is examining the various suggestions
> > for our PVRC circle.
> >
> > My vote is yes for the current proposal and yes  for a W3SO "tilt" in
> > the V/UHF circle!
> >
> > Look for W3SO during the contest this weekend.  See you on ~144.213.
> >
> > The W3SO Station summary with more detail is posted on QRZ dot com.
> >
> > Jack Hammett, K4VV
> >
> >
>
>