Why do I love VHF? Because it offers propagation patterns that can surprise you. In this round of VHF PA, I made three contacts using airplane scatter. Imagine you set up a sked, point your antenna, tune to the frequency… and nothing. The signal isn’t coming through. But a few seconds later, it appears. The contact is made, and then the signal disappears. Yes, that’s VHF.
Bearing on the antenna mast
A view from a distance shows the village of Brestovec shrouded in fog. Up on the hill, however, it’s just cloudy with pleasant weather. The weather is rarely this nice before a VHF PA. So thumbs up to this kind of weather! Since daylight saving time gives me more time to prepare, this time I’m setting up two antenna systems: a 4x 5-element DK7ZB yagi and a single fixed 8-element DK7ZB yagi, fixed to an azimuth of approximately 330 degrees.
Even before the contest, I discover that the HA8ET preamplifier isn’t working. Too bad. It’s a valuable tool. I’ll have to figure out the cause of the malfunction and fix it.
Antennas in the VHF PA – April 2023
Right at the start of the VHF PA, Peťo OM8WG from OM3KSI calls. Even though I’m calling him specifically, other stations are calling as well. I let them know to see if they can hear OM3KSI. A few minutes later, OM3KSI’s signal does indeed appear, and the contact is made in no time. The other stations, however, couldn’t hear OM3KSI.
Propagation conditions seem poor. Several stations on the band mention this. I struggle a bit to make contact with YT1WP, but thanks to his patience, we manage to complete this contact via a bounce off an airplane. In the first hour, I log an excellent 40 contacts.
Unfortunately, this time I didn’t hear DB7MM, OK1DSZ, or OK1TDO. That would confirm that propagation conditions aren’t very good. I called SP8K several times requesting a contact, but without success. Connections are coming in more slowly.
While scanning the band, I hear a Moravian station completing a connection with the KN09 locator. That must be Janko OM8OM. I try sending a call sign, and OM8OM’s signal, with excellent strength, appears a moment later.
OK2KYK also calls. Judging by the voice, it’s a young operator. My kudos to the Kyjov Radio Club, which uses VHF PA to introduce contesting to young people.
It’s not always possible to arrange a sked. Last time, I complained about the Romanian stations. This time they did much better, but my log includes YP2DX, YO2IW, YO2BBT (all KN05), and YO5OHB (KN17).
VHF setup in the car
A few minutes before the end of the VHF PA, Rino I4GHG sends a request for a scheduled contact. I try to tune in and can actually hear him, but he’s unreadable. Now I’m missing the HA8ET preamplifier! But in AirScout, I see there’s a chance for a connection via a bounce off an airplane. The signal strengthens significantly, and the 679-kilometer connection to JN63 is in the log. The last and also the longest QSO.
VHF PA Summary – April 2023
VHF PA Connection Map – April 2023
The log contains 79 QSOs (one duplicate connection) to 23 locator squares, which amounts to 6,302 points. The average distance in kilometers is lower, which doesn’t surprise me. A better result could certainly have been achieved—OM3CQF and OM6ABF are proof of that. There’s always room for improvement. And that’s the fun of VHF. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you next time!