POLL: VHF/UHF Field Days - Division 1 versus Division 2

[VK4ADC]

Encouragement for cars equipped only with FM radios.

Though in VK3, FM contacts are common, here in VK2 none of our field stations are equipped with vertical antenna or radios on them. SSB and horizontal only. So again, can I ask that stations with separate radios and antenna for FM be able
to contact other stations similarly equipped and gain extra points for that band.

Bottom line:

If the field stations had the equipment, the mobile stations COULD participate.

2C39 'cause a 73 is no use here.

Alan VK2ZIW

An interesting comment Alan, maybe true and maybe not.

I am usually set up to work both horizontal and vertical polarisation on 6, 2 and 70 when portable. I have two yagis on 70cm, one dedicated to each polarisation while on 2m, the yagi is hinged so that yanking on a rope moves the yagi from horizontal to vertical - plus I have a dual band vertical whip for 2/70. The whip on 52.525 is actually an old fibreglass 5/8ths 2m mobile whip that works well as a quarter wave on 6, plus a 4 element yagi on 50MHz horizontal.

Despite having the antennas available on FD setups, I seldom work anyone on 52.525, 146.500 or 439.000 FM simplex - and it isn't because I don't listen or call CQFD there either. I am happy to set up a dedicated radio and antenna on 146.500 and 439.000 if I can believe that there will be stations to work.

I guess one factor is that most mobile stations stick to repeater frequencies and probably many are unaware that there is a FD on at that point in time, or can be bothered doing a numbers exchange let alone actually completing a log to send in. Grid square details (6 char format) could be a little tricky too.

Plus being an old fogey, I think I understand your 2C39 reference. (Others may need to Google 2C39 )
{I guess old HF operators would need to quote 807 or 6146... }
Then again, a 59073 sounds like you are doing well in the contest.

All the good numbers are usually available from my FD setup... 52.525, 146.600, 439.000 vertical plus 50.150, 52.150, 144.150, 432.150, 1296.150, 2403.150, 3398.150, 5760.150 and 10368.150 for those horizontally-polarised-only types.

Doug