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 Previous: The K7RA Solar Update |  Next: Surfin': My Kingdom for a Manual |
By Anthony A. Luscre, K8ZT
Contributing Editor
March 28, 2003
We visit the world of QRP operations above 50 MHz and invite hams with Technician licenses to join in the QRP fun.
When most hams think of QRP, they think of HF operation. But there is another whole spectrum available for operating--VHF and UHF. For years the two main geographical areas for VHF QRP operations have been Japan and Europe. This is mainly due to more compact geographical areas, numerous possibilities of working multiple countries and the availability of low-power and VHF-only licenses.
A popular operating practice is hiking to hills and mountains in these regions and operating with portable low-power equipment and small, high-gain antennas. Although FM VHF/UHF equipment (especially hand-held radios) often is QRP, the type of QRP operation we will discuss is often referred to as "weak signal" VHF/UHF. Weak signal contacts are usually SSB or CW, which often provide for much greater range than FM.
QRP VHF/UHF SSB and/or CW Equipment
 Military-look case make the ICOM 202 and 402 radios easily distinguishable. Models were available for 6 meter SSB/CW, 2 meter SSB/CW, 432 SSB/CW and 2 meter FM only. As with Yaesu FT-290, internal space for batteries made these a highly portable QRP radios. [Photo by author] |
For decades, two models of portable QRP VHF radios have been very popular for these operations. Both series featured single-band SSB and CW operation with self-contained batteries. ICOM manufactured one of these series. ICOM's IC-xx2 offerings included the IC-202 (144 MHz), IC-402 (432 MHz), IC-502 (50 MHz) and later variations of these radios. These radios are easily identified by their narrow military-look vertical "book case" design and analog tuning dials. Putting out anywhere from 0.5 to 3 W and operating from C cells, they were very portable.
Yaesu's models included the FT-290 (144 MHz),
FT-790 (432 MHz) and FT-690 (50 MHz). Upping the ante with the addition of
digital display, memories, SSB, CW, FM and repeater operation the FT-x90 series
continue to be workhorses for mountain toppers worldwide. These radios have
also been very popular to drive transverters for higher frequency bands up
through microwaves. With a 5 to 10 W output, these radios fit well into VHF QRP
activities. Yaesu later produced a similar radio with slightly higher power
(and corresponding higher current drain) called the MK-II series. Many of these
ICOM and Yaesu radios continue to be used and have held their value well.
 Front view of the Yaesu FT-290, a portable 2-meter QRP multimode, single-band VHF radio with internal space for battery power. Similar models were available for 6 meters (FT-690) and 432 MHz (FT-790). |
In autumn 2000 Yaesu pushed the concept of portable VHF/UHF a giant step forward. The FT-817 not only provided 430, 144 and 50 MHz, but HF coverage from 10M to 160M. The size (5.3 x 1.5 x 6.5 inches) and light weight (less than 2 pounds) almost dwarfs the FT-x90 series monobanders, while still retaining the built-in battery. Now with one small radio, the right antenna(s) and sufficient battery power, our QRPer has a multiband portable VHF/UHF mountain-topping contest station. A QRPer can also stay in the comfort of his/her home shack and, along with high-gain antennas, easily make many contacts on VHF/UHF.
Transverters--from HF to VHF/UHF Almost Painlessly
For many VHF/UHF operators, transverters still provide a viable way of operating. Four primary factors contribute to the use of transverters. (1) Operators are able to use all the features and filtering of their HF transceivers; (2) They are a low-cost way to add additional bands; (3) Multimode radios are rare or unavailable for less-common and/or higher-frequency bands (220 MHz, 1.2 GHz and up); and (4) Some transverters offer very high-performance designs.
Use of transverters usually requires the low-power input of an HF signal (used as an IF), which is then converted to a higher frequency. The requirement for low-power input means the QRPer often already owns ideal HF equipment to use with a transverter. For a variety of information visit the following links: Ten-Tec 6 or 2-meter transverter kits (low cost and easy assembly with medium performance); Down East Microwave (higher performance and price); and the January 2003 QST article A 222 MHz Transverter for the Yaesu FT-817 by Paul Wade, W1GHZ.
QRP
and Cross Country QSOs with a Technician License.
 Side view of the Yaesu FT-790. |
VHF/UHF SSB operation provides a way for Technician licensees to try QRP and work stations outside the normal FM and repeater range. A good first VHF band to try is 6 meters. Multi-state and even occasional DX contacts are not uncommon on 6 meter SSB or CW. Unfortunately VHF/UHF activity still can be rather sparse in many parts of the US. One way around this lack of activity is to make sure you operate during the various VHF/UHF contests and activities. The ARRL sponsors three main VHF/UHF contests--one each in January, June and September. CQ Magazine sponsors a July contest. In additions other VHF/UHF clubs sponsor activities and awards. One method to increase contacts is the use of established calling frequencies.
VHF/UHF Operations with Style
 The Yaesu FT-690 Mark II is an example of Yaesu's second generation of portable multimode VHF and UHF transceivers. |
Contacts on VHF/UHF utilize a slightly different style than HF contacts. The first big difference is the exchange. Instead of the usual RST, the exchange of Maidenhead grid squares is used to confirm two-way contact. Grid squares are based on the Maidenhead Grid system. The ARRL Web Site has a section on grid locators, including methods for determining your own grid square. Many modern GPS units will let you set them to read out Maidenhead grid squares instead of degrees, minutes and seconds. Additional information, maps and grid square software can be found on the Maps page of my Web site.
In addition to the use of grids many of the higher frequency bands and specialized operating modes--including EME, earth-moon-earth or "moonbounce" and meteor scatter--use unique and structured methods of establishing and confirming contacts. For more information on these procedures and a good general overview of VHF/UHF operations visit the Radio Amateurs of Canada's excellent "VHF/UHF Operating" Web page.
VHF/UHF Contesting Style
 The Yaesu FT-817 is a VHF/UHF multimode (SSB, CW, AM and FM), multiband portable QRP radio that also covers the HF bands. With coverage from 160M to 430 MHz (minus 222 MHz) and built-in battery power, the FT-817 is both portable and multifunctional. [Photo by author] |
Contesting on VHF/UHF bands also varies from HF contesting. Many VHF/UHF contesters often listen simultaneously on multiple bands. One very common practice is to make an initial contact with a station on one band, usually 6 or 2 meters, then asks the other station if they're operating any other bands. Then, the stations can agree on a frequency for the next contact on another band and QSY to complete a second QSO. They then repeat this process--usually climbing in frequency--until they run out of bands available to both operators or fail to make contact.
This practice not only puts more points in the logs of both stations, it encourages many more contacts on VHF/UHF, especially on those higher bands where high-gain antennas with very narrow beamwidth make it harder to make contacts randomly.
The World of VHF/UHF--the Sky is the Limit
This month's column just barely scratches the surface of the broad world of VHF/UHF operating. Antenna tinkerers will find the small size and high gains possible at VHF/UHF to be an experimenter and builder's paradise. For those who are interested in propagation, there is a wide and diverse variety of modes to explore, including sporadic e, tropospheric ducting, meteor scatter, aurora and more. Copying the weak signals of terrestrial, moonbounce and satellite VHF/UHF signals can improve the QRPer's ability to dig out those weak signal contacts on HF. QRP VHF/UHF can even be used on satellites. A few of the birds, especially the low-earth-orbit variety, are capable of supporting successful contacts at QRP power levels.
To continue your exploration of this month's topic I would suggest one more of the following:
For information on inexpensive, easy to build and/or portable VHF-UHF antennas visit this sampling of Web sites: Clear Lake Amateur Radio Club's Cheap VHF/UHF Antennas, Michael Toia, K3MT's Portable 2 Meter Yagi, Hector Espinosa, XE1BEF's VHF-UHF Antenna Links section (while there, don't miss the rest of this mega site!), John Bradley, KU4AY's Antenna Links.
If you are looking for commercial portable VHF/UHF antennas you may want to visit Arrow Antennas. Don't forget to check out the ARRL's Antenna Handbook and other antenna books for more projects.
Reader Feedback and Author Comments
Want to meet fellow QRPers? The convention season for QRP clubs begins with Atlanticon in March, ArkieCon in April and QRPARCI's Four Days in May. For a list of other QRP get togethers visit my QRP Community Web Page. If your QRP organization is planning a get together please e-mail information to me so I can add it to my list.
Thanks for the e-mails in response to my last two columns. A number of readers wrote about their own QRP DX successes. If you want to work DX don't hesitate as the rapidly declining sunspot cycle with make it a bit more difficult.
Editor's note: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, an ARRL member, lives in Stow, Ohio. He has
worked in the field of medical microbiology for 18 years and is now a
Technology and Computer Coordinator for a local school district. Luscre is an
avid QRP operator having earned DXCC, WAS and WAC using no more that 5 W
output. Readers are invited to contact the author via e-mail, k8zt@arrl.net
or visit his Web site.
| Previous: The K7RA Solar Update | Next: Surfin': My Kingdom for a Manual |
