01/20/2003 | KB1CJ This was my first VHF contest, and I really enjoyed it. Except for a late Sunday afternoon 6M opening, everything was pretty much local. Despite the lack of openings from my QTH (just outside of Boston), I really learned a lot. For example, I discovered a much better way to manage my 6M preamps in the face of a terribly difficult local noise environment (I live in the shadow of a major Channel 2 broadcaster here). I also really enjoyed the sense of camraderie as stations in the northeast worked hard to make contacts on different bands. The whole tone seemed much more considerate than what I have encountered in crowded HF contests.

My one complaint/suggestion -- With such limited propogation conditions, why not make more use of digital modes? I tried many calls with JT44 (using WSJT) and only got one or two replies. Too bad -- JT44 can extend a station's reach compared to the usual SSB, even more so than CW. It's not as fast as a contact on SSB, but if you've worked most of the local stations and can't hear the others, why not reach out a bit farther? Even with low power, this mode has some real reach. In hindsight, wish I had scheduled some HSMS contacts before the contest, too. Live and learn.

Anyhow, this was a good learning experience! My thanks to all the stations (both big and small) that worked hard to make the contacts. -- KB1CJ