How do we get more activity in VHF UHF Contests ?

[VK4ADC]

1. **What do we want to acheive?**

2. All modes including FM and newer low noise digital modes eg FT8? FM to encourage new operators?

3. Setup times - is it practical to setup competive stations for all bands without group support?

4. **Locations?**

Many regions have limited "good sites" - how do you encourage Expeditions?

Trent

I will deal with each of the above extracts in turn.

1. I before E except after C

2. Digital modes and FM are both available under the VHF/UHF FD Rules - it is just that almost everyone ignores them until there is no one else to work in each new time block. SSB is usually quicker and there are more stations using that mode. I usually keep 146.500 and 439.000 FM simplex running while these events are in progress and seldom hear any others - and don't get replies when I call CQ FD. 

3. I have set up portable for all bands 50MHz to 10.368GHz many times just by myself. 
It was typically about a 1 to 1.5 hour setup time because I had done my prep work at home. I only had to take masting and some 23CM, 2M & 70CM yagi antennas off the top of the trailer, attach masts to pre-mounted rotators, assemble the 6M yagi, unfurl coaxes and attach, mount the pre-assembled microwave antennas plus transverters. The radios were all pre-assembled and prewired in a wooden transport case and only really required coaxes plus a heavy DC power lead to be attached once placed in the operating position in the trailer.
As an example, my 2015 Summer FD : http://www.vk4adc.com/web/field-day-acti...46-2015sfd but pick from many others over the previous few years.

4. Many of the previously "possible" FD sites are now inaccessible. There are padlocked gates and fences, all accompanied by warning signs. Please remember that trees/foliage affect attenuation even at 70CM and 23CM so what you want is a site which provides clear sight lines in the appropriate directions to other stations. Those sites are hard to find, let alone access.  Getting people to Expedition to these non-existent places on an individual basis isn't going to work and since at least some clubs participate from the actually available places, that doesn't leave much scope for the new single ops.


I don't mean that the FD rules shouldn't be rewritten but, somewhere along the line, reality must kick in. It would be great to know that participation in this style of contest was on the rise.

Finally, I didn't operate in the recent Summer FD. I was otherwise involved that weekend but even if I hadn't, the weather was unbearably hot (36-37C) followed by a storm late in the afternoon on Saturday (my normal activity times). Having been through too many wet and stormy FDs in recent years, I have chosen not to go portable when such weather conditions are forecast. Whimp ?  You bet.

As VK2ZRH once put : my 2.2 cents (GST included).


Doug