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Mlike McEwen
OK, I know this may sound crazy but I am suggesting we start
a new contact category: 2MFCC (2 Meter
FM Century Club). More new amateurs have
2M FM HT’s than any other radio. Heck, I
started out that way 35 years ago and many of us did. I know it is not digital, HF, or anything
glamorous, but it is great fun…especially for those just getting into our
avocation.
So, what I propose is contacts that will be done on 2M FM
with the following “rules”:
1. Only 2M FM will be
used.
2. Repeaters may be
used to make a contact but only one contact per repeater.
3. Mobile/mountain
top/roving is encouraged.
4. Power is limited
to 10 W (I think that is the most powerful barefoot 2 M HT at present. It will likely bring “newbies” into contact
with potential Elmers. It is just plain
fun and not just ten second machine gun contest QSOs which are very
intimidating to newbies …new amateurs will be encouraged to actually talk with
each other.
Once when I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, I took my HT to
the top of Pike’s Peak and made a contact in the Oklahoma Panhandle with 5 W
and a 5/8 wave collapsible whip and home built “tiger tail” counterpoise. What a hoot!
Chatting with my HT and roof mount antenna as I drive through various areas is always fun. Maybe
2MFCC will spark more of this.
I‘m not against contesting or exotic DX, but they simply are
not the domain of most new amateurs or many of us oldsters.
Contact verification of either type would be acceptable… LoTW,
or better yet, actual QSL cards. I
always encourage new amateurs to get some simple QSL cards…cards are really fun
to collect and provide a hands-on contact with those of us in our hobby. Computer printer postcards are not that
expensive and postage is within the reach of most of us. I prefer the old-fashioned, direct exchange
of cards rather than the OSL Bureau/SASE route, but that’s just me. If someone does not want to put a stamp on a
card to send to me, I can live with that….I’ll do my part and send cards.
Is this whole thing just a silly idea? I think it might be a real energizer for
our hobby.
Don’t get me wrong…I love HF and am QRP on 20/40 SSB and
occasionally do my cruddy CW on QRP at night with slow CW (usually 40 M,
sometimes 20 M). But, if I get someone in
on a 2 M FM DX QSO, they are typically amazed and energized…the simple 2 M FM
starts the process.
72/73, Doc K5OSA #801
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
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Walter - K5EST
Mike, good thinking! If you search Google or Duck Duck Go, you will see many hits along your topic.
ie,
I use simplex when on a trip. Every once in a while someone will answer on 146.52 MHz. They are usually traveling also.
OK, I know this may sound crazy but I am suggesting we start
a new contact category: 2MFCC (2 Meter
FM Century Club). More new amateurs have
2M FM HT’s than any other radio. Heck, I
started out that way 35 years ago and many of us did. I know it is not digital, HF, or anything
glamorous, but it is great fun…especially for those just getting into our
avocation.
So, what I propose is contacts that will be done on 2M FM
with the following “rules”:
1. Only 2M FM will be
used.
2. Repeaters may be
used to make a contact but only one contact per repeater.
3. Mobile/mountain
top/roving is encouraged.
4. Power is limited
to 10 W (I think that is the most powerful barefoot 2 M HT at present. It will likely bring “newbies” into contact
with potential Elmers. It is just plain
fun and not just ten second machine gun contest QSOs which are very
intimidating to newbies …new amateurs will be encouraged to actually talk with
each other.
Once when I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, I took my HT to
the top of Pike’s Peak and made a contact in the Oklahoma Panhandle with 5 W
and a 5/8 wave collapsible whip and home built “tiger tail” counterpoise. What a hoot!
Chatting with my HT and roof mount antenna as I drive through various areas is always fun. Maybe
2MFCC will spark more of this.
I‘m not against contesting or exotic DX, but they simply are
not the domain of most new amateurs or many of us oldsters.
Contact verification of either type would be acceptable… LoTW,
or better yet, actual QSL cards. I
always encourage new amateurs to get some simple QSL cards…cards are really fun
to collect and provide a hands-on contact with those of us in our hobby. Computer printer postcards are not that
expensive and postage is within the reach of most of us. I prefer the old-fashioned, direct exchange
of cards rather than the OSL Bureau/SASE route, but that’s just me. If someone does not want to put a stamp on a
card to send to me, I can live with that….I’ll do my part and send cards.
Is this whole thing just a silly idea? I think it might be a real energizer for
our hobby.
Don’t get me wrong…I love HF and am QRP on 20/40 SSB and
occasionally do my cruddy CW on QRP at night with slow CW (usually 40 M,
sometimes 20 M). But, if I get someone in
on a 2 M FM DX QSO, they are typically amazed and energized…the simple 2 M FM
starts the process.
72/73, Doc K5OSA #801
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
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Mlike McEwen
TNX for the tip...72/73 K5OSA
Mike, good thinking! If you search Google or Duck Duck Go, you will see many hits along your topic.
ie,
I use simplex when on a trip. Every once in a while someone will answer on 146.52 MHz. They are usually traveling also.
73, OK, I know this may sound crazy but I am suggesting we start
a new contact category: 2MFCC (2 Meter
FM Century Club). More new amateurs have
2M FM HT’s than any other radio. Heck, I
started out that way 35 years ago and many of us did. I know it is not digital, HF, or anything
glamorous, but it is great fun…especially for those just getting into our
avocation.
So, what I propose is contacts that will be done on 2M FM
with the following “rules”:
1. Only 2M FM will be
used.
2. Repeaters may be
used to make a contact but only one contact per repeater.
3. Mobile/mountain
top/roving is encouraged.
4. Power is limited
to 10 W (I think that is the most powerful barefoot 2 M HT at present. It will likely bring “newbies” into contact
with potential Elmers. It is just plain
fun and not just ten second machine gun contest QSOs which are very
intimidating to newbies …new amateurs will be encouraged to actually talk with
each other.
Once when I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, I took my HT to
the top of Pike’s Peak and made a contact in the Oklahoma Panhandle with 5 W
and a 5/8 wave collapsible whip and home built “tiger tail” counterpoise. What a hoot!
Chatting with my HT and roof mount antenna as I drive through various areas is always fun. Maybe
2MFCC will spark more of this.
I‘m not against contesting or exotic DX, but they simply are
not the domain of most new amateurs or many of us oldsters.
Contact verification of either type would be acceptable… LoTW,
or better yet, actual QSL cards. I
always encourage new amateurs to get some simple QSL cards…cards are really fun
to collect and provide a hands-on contact with those of us in our hobby. Computer printer postcards are not that
expensive and postage is within the reach of most of us. I prefer the old-fashioned, direct exchange
of cards rather than the OSL Bureau/SASE route, but that’s just me. If someone does not want to put a stamp on a
card to send to me, I can live with that….I’ll do my part and send cards.
Is this whole thing just a silly idea? I think it might be a real energizer for
our hobby.
Don’t get me wrong…I love HF and am QRP on 20/40 SSB and
occasionally do my cruddy CW on QRP at night with slow CW (usually 40 M,
sometimes 20 M). But, if I get someone in
on a 2 M FM DX QSO, they are typically amazed and energized…the simple 2 M FM
starts the process.
72/73, Doc K5OSA #801
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
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John - KK4ITX
I have always been a fan of low power communication and have found (again tonight) that a good antenna along with helpful propagation is truly the most gratifying experience you can have.
2 meter (FM) can be an exciting, educational an affordable not to mention life long endeavor into Amateur Radio. I do find it disturbing that the major manufacturers have pretty much eliminated AM, CW and SSB from just about all lower cost (entry level) 2m equipment. 70cm also fits here.
I have used 2m HTs for base, mobile and RV portable all at 5w and consistently get superior results because of antennas and height. 65+ miles using various antennas like Flexible “J” Poles, Moxon’s and homebrew beams.
Perhaps this is a new opportunity for 4S Kits can be towards 2m and/or 70cm CW ? The frequency is there, great local coverage and with some easy to build antennas great regional coverage.
I think you have a good idea here.
Tonight I made my first 1,000+ MPW CW contact on my homebrew EFHW at 1w. Florida to Maine, what a thrill....... I’m sure you all remember your first 1K !
Good luck in your new endeavor I think you’re on to something. John KK4ITX
On Oct 3, 2021, at 16:55, Mlike McEwen < michael.t.mcewen@...> wrote: TNX for the tip...72/73 K5OSA Mike, good thinking! If you search Google or Duck Duck Go, you will see many hits along your topic.
ie,
I use simplex when on a trip. Every once in a while someone will answer on 146.52 MHz. They are usually traveling also.
73, OK, I know this may sound crazy but I am suggesting we start
a new contact category: 2MFCC (2 Meter
FM Century Club). More new amateurs have
2M FM HT’s than any other radio. Heck, I
started out that way 35 years ago and many of us did. I know it is not digital, HF, or anything
glamorous, but it is great fun…especially for those just getting into our
avocation.
So, what I propose is contacts that will be done on 2M FM
with the following “rules”:
1. Only 2M FM will be
used.
2. Repeaters may be
used to make a contact but only one contact per repeater.
3. Mobile/mountain
top/roving is encouraged.
4. Power is limited
to 10 W (I think that is the most powerful barefoot 2 M HT at present. It will likely bring “newbies” into contact
with potential Elmers. It is just plain
fun and not just ten second machine gun contest QSOs which are very
intimidating to newbies …new amateurs will be encouraged to actually talk with
each other.
Once when I was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, I took my HT to
the top of Pike’s Peak and made a contact in the Oklahoma Panhandle with 5 W
and a 5/8 wave collapsible whip and home built “tiger tail” counterpoise. What a hoot!
Chatting with my HT and roof mount antenna as I drive through various areas is always fun. Maybe
2MFCC will spark more of this.
I‘m not against contesting or exotic DX, but they simply are
not the domain of most new amateurs or many of us oldsters.
Contact verification of either type would be acceptable… LoTW,
or better yet, actual QSL cards. I
always encourage new amateurs to get some simple QSL cards…cards are really fun
to collect and provide a hands-on contact with those of us in our hobby. Computer printer postcards are not that
expensive and postage is within the reach of most of us. I prefer the old-fashioned, direct exchange
of cards rather than the OSL Bureau/SASE route, but that’s just me. If someone does not want to put a stamp on a
card to send to me, I can live with that….I’ll do my part and send cards.
Is this whole thing just a silly idea? I think it might be a real energizer for
our hobby.
Don’t get me wrong…I love HF and am QRP on 20/40 SSB and
occasionally do my cruddy CW on QRP at night with slow CW (usually 40 M,
sometimes 20 M). But, if I get someone in
on a 2 M FM DX QSO, they are typically amazed and energized…the simple 2 M FM
starts the process.
72/73, Doc K5OSA #801
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
-- Dr. Michael T. McEwen
Lt Col, US Army (Ret.)
Cell: 580 919-9205
--
John, KK4ITX
# 1603
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