Guide to VHF Contesting — References to Further Information

My VHF journey started in the mid-1970s working FM on 2 meters. A particular delight was working with my dad to build 2 meter Quad antennas in an attempt to make contact between my home in Lincoln, Nebraska, and his in Omaha. Not sure we ever accomplished that but we had fun building those antennas.

My VHF interest reawakened in 2014 with tentative entries in the ARRL June VHF Contest and the CQ WW VHF Contest both on six meters with a vertical. That was followed by attending the Central States VHF Conference held that year in Austin, Texas. By the September VHF Contest I’d added a six meter stressed moxon antenna.

By the next year, 2015, I added an Icom IC-910H and started working 144 and 432. That started projects building antennas, lots and lots of antennas. In 2016 I started discovering VHF Rovers that added excitement to my contesting. In 2017 I started my own early rover operations.

You can see that I’ve been having a blast working VHF contests. I’ve started to share my passion with others via presentations. And, following the popularity of my Six Meter eBook and Guide to 6 Meter DXing, I decided to build a reference for VHF Contesting.

Here are a few references for your further study as you consider VHF Contesting for one of your own ham radio adventures. One caveat, my VHF experience is restricted to 50, 144, 222, and 432 MHz with a few QSOs on 1296. So you’ll need to search elsewhere to find microwave information.

VHF Contests

• ARRL January VHF Contest
• ARRL June VHF Contest
• CQ WW VHF Contest July
• ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest August
• ARRL September VHF Contest

VHF Contesting Magazines

• ARRL QST Magazine. Monthly VHF Column, contesting coverage, how-to articles. The archives of back issues can also be very helpful.
• ARRL National Contest Journal. Great coverage of all contesting with many articles with a VHF focus.
• CQ Magazine. Coverage of VHF topics including contest results along with a monthly column.

VHF Contesting Websites

• Central States VHF Society. Awards, programs, sprints, conferences, lots of stuff of interest.
• Society of Midwestern Contesters — FAQ, see the information on VHF/UHF contesting.
• Contest University. This link is to the files section with all past presentations, including many for VHF contesting.
• DX Maps. Great site for monitoring openings on VHF bands.
• Ping Jockey. Chat system used to coordinate meteor scatter contacts.
• PSK Reporter. Monitor how well your own signal is getting out, by VHF band.
• Contest Online Scoreboard. Very interesting source of information during and after contests.
• ON4KST online chat. Excellent to coordinate VHF contacts.
• VHF/UHF Beacons. Listing of beacons published by WZ1V.
• ARRL VUCC Award. The rules and application for the VHF-UHF Century Club Award.

VHF Contesting Online Groups

I encourage you to connect with some of the Facebook Groups, including the VHF/UHF Weak Signal Amateur Radio group. I’ve found the groups.io email lists to be very helpful, but they are mostly about rigs, logging software, WJST-X, and more. Connect with your areas of interest. There is also an email list for VHF Contesting. Many local clubs can also be very supportive and helpful.

K5ND Presentation Slide Decks

• VHF Contesting presentation for QSO Today Ham Expo. Slide deck from March 2021 presentation. K5ND VHF Contesting Presentation Video on YouTube. Video presentation including Q & A on Vimeo.
• VHF Contesting for Richardson Wireless Klub. Slide deck from February 2021 presentation.
• VHF Rover Virtual Tour. Slide deck from February 2021 presentation to North Texas Microwave Society.
• VHF Contesting for Front Range 6 Meter Group. Slide deck from May 2020. You can find the video at VHF Contesting by Jim K5ND.
• Six Meter Presentation @ ARRL Learning Network. Slide deck and link to video from August 2020.

K5ND VHF Blog Articles

At latest count, there were over 100 articles on contesting and VHF on my blog. Here’s a few highlights that might prove interesting.

• National Contest Journal — K5ND Articles. My articles in 2020 issues plus my cover appearance.
• 222 MHz Transverter and Power Amplifier.
• DSE Antenna Tuning and Rig Expert AA-600 Analyzer.
• Fiberglass Push-Up Mast.
• Cheap Yagis for VHF and UHF.
• RSGB 2020 Online Convention VHF Videos. Great videos on six meter sporadic E and on radios for VHF contesting.
• Rover Updates — DC Power Systems and Power System and New Mast.
• Logbook of the World for Rovers.

Icom America Blog Articles

I’ve written a number of articles for Icom America. Here’s links to a few that are appropriate for VHF Contesting.

• VHF Simplex Operation and Spectrum Scope Use (IC-9700)
• VHF Rover Contesting — Truly Moving QSOs
• Radio Contesting Journey — HF, VHF, and Roving
• The Magic Band

VHF Contesting Summary

Well that’s my attempt to provide a few resources to help your launch or continue your VHF Contesting journey. It’s by no means all encompassing and at best reflects only my own limited perspective and experience.

None-the-less, I hope it will be of value in your efforts. I look forward to working you in the contests.