2007 ARRL UHF Contest Preview

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

After less than spectacular propagation in the June ARRL VHF and July CQ WW VHF contests, US and Canadian contesters will give it another go this weekend in the ARRL UHF Contest.

The defending single operator champ is Michael King KM0T, who is aiming at his third straight ARRL UHF high power title. Last year the Iowa contester won by less than 2,000 points over WW8M - again showing that every contact counts.

Lurking around on the bands again this year will be the 3rd place finisher from 2006, Jeff Klein K1TEO.

"I like the UHF test because you can spend time trying those tough microwave contacts," said Klein, "Whereas in the three full (ARRL) contests, you can't spend the time DX'ing vs contesting."

The defending rover champion is Jon Platt W0ZQ, who far outdistanced his competition in 2006, as Platt finished 4th overall, behind one multi-op and the top three single operator high power leaders.

"My plan this year is to once again rover to eight different grids," says Platt, who will be on 222-10 GHz. "We have seven other Northern Lights Radio Society rovers who will be out and about for the UHF contest."

Platt's group coined the term "Rovermania" for this contest three years ago, in an effort to spur more activity after rumblings that the ARRL might get rid of the UHF contest.

"We have always wondered how much activity and fun we could generate," says Platt. "Rovermania is not grid circling nor pack roving, it's a coordinated effort to get the rovers out and to let people know where they are going and where they can most likely be found."

Among the other NLRS rovers on the road this weekend will be Glen Overby KC0IYT and Mel Larson KC0P, who plan to activate five and seven grids respectively.

"This isn't a hugely popular contest," said Overby, "so having plenty of rovers means there is always someone "new" to work. It keeps the activity level up and activity breeds activity since casual contesters and will walk in the shack, spin the dial and leave if there's nobody out there to work."

"Rovermania to me means more than just the usual three rovers out in our area," says Larson KC0P. "We hope to get at least double that."

This year the NLRS will offer a "Limited Rover" award to the top two limited rovers in the US and Canada, defining "limited" as any three bands of your choosing.

"The UHF contest is a perfect contest for roving," says Platt, "because the antennas for 222 and up are smaller and you can work great distances on those bands with small yagis and dishes."

"In the UHF contest you can do best on the lower two bands," says Phil Theis K3TUF, "but the microwaves are always the most fun."

Theis finished in the top ten a year ago. "I am relatively new to VHF/UHF contesting and still adding and enhancing my equipment. One of the keys I believe is the ability to rapidly change bands."

For those looking to give this contest a try, more experienced hands like Platt say the best UHF propagation is in the evening and again in the early morning hours for tropo.

"For newbies that want to gie the UHF contest a try, most acivity will be found on 432," said Platt. "After that, depending on your area, it will be either 222 or 1296."

For those who want to give roving a try, KC0P recommends finding the top of a hill that's not too far from other contesters.

"(It's) more important to start out in a ring around the better stations to get a feel for your DX capability," says Larson KC0P, "than driving to lots of rare grids only to get skunked because nobody can here you from that far away."

The most basic advice though may have come from Theis K3TUF: "If I were to give some, it would be to get the antennas up in the air and just enjoy the contest."