Tim,
I’ve actually operated VHF/UHF/Microwave from the West (mostly in New Mexico and California) during VHF Contests when I’ve been traveling for business.
Understand well the challenges faced in making contacts on 2 Meters, 432, etc. When it comes to this type of operating, geography is indeed destiny.
It’s difficult or impossible to mitigate the advantages enjoyed by operators in the Northeast.
That being said, I still believe 5BVUCC is achievable by any committed amateur in the 48 states. I live in a deed restricted neighborhood and am limited to indoor antennas. This represents a huge disadvantage, but I’ve found ways to overcome them. That’s part of the fun. As your own signature file states, “Adapt, Overcome,, Succeed!”
I suspect many operators would achieve 5BVUCC by working with a partner ham. You could take a single dish for 5Ghz and 10Ghz to a high peak in a single grid square, while your partner drove to LOS locations in five grids. Then “switch” to allow both operators to earn VUCC on these bands. It’s done pretty often now.
If you added lasers to the mix, you’d have three of the required bands in a weekend. Difficult and expensive perhaps—but certainly something that many have already done successfully.
As for satellite operation, I have to disagree with you. Earning VUCC on satellites is certainly more difficult than earning it on 6 Meters. It is truly weak-signal operation and requires skill sets that are unique from other types of VHF/UHF operation.
More importantly, there is already a VUCC Award for Satellites, so it wouldn’t make sense to exclude this “band” from the award.
Like 6 Meters, it also makes the 5BVUCC more of a possibility for Western operators.
But I appreciate your opinions, and having you join the discussion. The best proposals are formed when input is received from many different viewpoints.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
On Apr 22, 2019, at 12:52 PM, K7XC Tim Marek [email protected] wrote:
Hi Les,
Your assumptions about what its like to operate in the West hold no Water as well. The Entire West has an Active Weak Signal VHF population equal to that of FN31 alone. Yes Tall Mountains are a huge advantage but people to work are far and few between on 2M let alone 10GHz.
Tim - K7XC - DM09jh.... sk
Adapt, Overcome,, Succeed!
On Mon, Apr 22, 2019 at 4:36 PM Les Rayburn <[email protected] mailto:[email protected]> wrote: I completely misspoke, and apologize.
The Southeast Division of the ARRL is represented on the league’s Boar of Directors by Greg Sarratt, W4OZK who is active on weak signal VHF/UHF.
We’ve been informed that the creation of new awards falls to the Board of Directors. If you’re supportive of the proposal to create a new Five Band VUCC Award (5BVUCC) please contact your director. Currently, these are:
Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, Atlantic Division
Kermit Carlson, W9XA, Central Division
Matt Holden, KØBBC, Dakota Division
David Norris, K5UZ, Delta Division
Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Great Lakes Division
Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division
Rod Blocksome, KØDAS, Midwest Division
Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, New England Division
Mike Ritz, W7VO, Northwestern Division
Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, Pacific Division
George “Bud” Hippisley, W2RU, Roanoke Division
Jeff Ryan, KØRM, Rocky Mountain Division
Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Southeastern Division
Dick Norton, N6AA, Southwestern Division
David Woolweaver, K5RAV, West Gulf Division Director
The proposal is for the league to create a new Five Band VUCC Award that would be earned by achieving five individual band VUCC Awards. This would be similar to the Five Band DXCC Award which has proven to be very popular.
This award would be relatively easy to implement within Logbook of the World, and require no significant changes to existing VUCC Rules.
Six Meter VUCC and Satellite VUCC are probably the easiest to achieve regardless of geography. Those of us in the East will find 2 Meters, 222, and 432 easier to earn, though WSJT Meteor Scatter and EME open these up to large parts of the country as well.
Those in the Western states have easier access to high peaks within range of the five grids required to earn the award on Microwaves.
With effort, this award should be achievable to almost any amateur willing to make the necessary commitment.
So far, the idea has received a lot of support within the VHF/UHF Community.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
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