[WIham] VHF/UHF Update from KC9BQA

[Todd Sprinkmann]

   Hello to the list, 
   Happy New Year,

   I'm still actively promoting "weak-signal" VHF/UHF to hams 
in a multi-state area.  Both via email lists I've developed and 
via my website, kc9bqa.com.  If you want weekly reminders 
about VHF activity, email me and I'll get you on a list.  I've 
greatly reduced how many lists I email to -- this saves me a 
few hours a week.  You may not hear from me via this list for 
a month or more.  Your best option is to visit kc9bqa.com 
once or twice a week. 

   I'm not sure I ever defined "weak-signal" VHF/UHF for this 
list.  My definition is making contacts far beyond the line-of-sight 
limit that is incorrectly put on V/UHF.  Every day, hams with 
horizontally-polarized, high-gain yagis up in the clear, using at 
least 50-100w output power, are making contacts of 100, 200, 
300 miles and more, using USB and CW modes, along with an 
ever-growing suite of digital modes.  This is standard practice on 
the 50 and 144 MHz bands.  Under enhanced conditions, the 
range occasionally expands to 500 miles or more.  My goal is to 
make sure every ham within range of my keyboard knows that 
this is possible.  What you do with the info is up to you.  If you 
have DX'er in you, you may eventually love the SSB/CW/digital 
side of V/UHF. 

   Our bands often don't have enough activity.  My other goal is to 
direct hams to where and when the activity will be.  Who is going 
to enjoy a new mode of operating if there's no signals to hear? 

   If you follow kc9bqa.com, you know exactly where and when 
to look.  We still have our long-range SSB nets on Wed. nights.  
I just made this week's announcement on the website; visit 
kc9bqa.com if you're curious.  I update kc9bqa.com frequently, 
just like I have for the last 2+ years. 

   We also have the first VHF/UHF contest of 2012 coming up.  
This is the ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes, on the weekend 
of Jan 21-22.  All bands from 50 MHz and 144 MHz, right on 
up thru 222 and 432 MHz, and into the microwave bands are in 
play.  Here's a link to the rules:  
http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf-sweepstakes 
   Because so many hams have 6m and/or 2m, and because most 
contest activity takes place on those bread-and-butter bands, 
there's potentially hundreds of VHF contesters out there.  But a 
lot of hams think contesting is a high-stress, cut-throat deal for 
big guns only.  On VHF at least, that just isn't true.  We can 
always use more ops, and we need more signals to work.  In 
the Midwest, we have decent activity levels, but there's always 
room on the bands for you to get your feet wet.  I invite you to 
tune in and participate. 

   When I was brand new to ham radio in 2002-03, I had a hard 
time finding solid info about how to play in a VHF contest.  I have 
put together a series of articles called VHF Contesting School.  
They cover the whole 9 yards, and break topics down into bite-
sized pieces. The articles are available here: 
http://kc9bqa.com/?p=5609  Skim thru those articles and see 
if they motivate you. 

   I realize many of you will gloss over this post and I understand. 
But if you know a ham who is VHF-curious, steer them toward 
kc9bqa.com where they can find what they're looking for. 

   73,
   Todd  KC9BQA    EN63ao (my grid square -- visit the 
website for a new post explaining grid squares) 
   www.kc9bqa.com  For Frequent VHF/UHF Updates
   www.wivuch.com  WI  VHF/UHF County Hunters Award