Sunday VHF102 Program for Beginners
Members and leadership of the New Mexico VHF Society are excited to lead this year's lineup of VHF102 presentations, designed especially for newcomers to the exciting world of VHF/UHF/microwave operations. Don't miss an opportunity to learn the ropes from seasoned operators looking to make it easy for you to discover a new, exciting world within amateur radio.
This exclusive program will be offered on Sunday, July 30 from 9:00am-3:00pm. Starbucks coffee will be provided to make your learning experience enjoyable, as will a Dutch-treat lunch break at the Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel restaraunt. Admission to the VHF102 program is $15 ($10 to cover cost of beverage service, and $5 for a one-year membership into the Central States VHF Society).
Attendees wishing to participate in the VHF101 and 102 programs are not required to attend the larger CSVHFS Conference. If you wish to attend only the VHF101 and 102 programs, please enter coupon code "VHF102" when registering for the event. Register today!
VHF102 Presentation Lineup
VHF Troposcatter propagation
Presented by Jim Duffey KK6MC, all forms of propagation will be mentioned but we'll focus on tropo-scatter and path analysis using Radio Mobile online software. Participants will leave with an Radio Mobile account on line and experience various path analyses using hands on-participation. We'll provide a few laptops and break into small groups.
Integrating VHF/UHF Transverters into an Existing Station
Bill Schwantes W7QQ will cover all aspects of adding a transverter to a station's capability. Topics to be covered: Transverter selection, IF selection, interface configuration (split vs combined IF and split vs. combined RF), PTT/sequencing, transmit drive power management and transmit/receive switching.
Digital WSJT Modes
Mike Hasselbeck WB2FKO will provide an overview and perhaps a few deep dives on the topic of WSJT, and explain why it is becoming one of the most popular modes used on the VHF/UHF bands.
Expanding Station Capability to the 222-MHz Band
Jim Duffey KK6MC and Bill Schwantes W7QQ will cover transverters, amplifiers and antennas required to add the 222-MHz band to an existing VHF station. They'll cover what to expect in the way of station performance and operating practices, focus on integrating the inexpensive UT5JCW Ukrainian transverter, and discuss the testing we've done to establish expectations for a station running this transverter.
Contesting on VHF and Above
Jim Lommen KC7QY will provide an overview of contesting on the VHF and higher bands, covering topics including why contesting VHF & above is so exciting, operating awards (VUCC, WAS, DXCC, etc.), major VHF+ contests, contest categories that are comfortable yet challenging for the newcomer (single band, 3-band, FM only, all-band, rover), logging tools and considerations for VHF+ contesting (software, Cabrillo logs, log submission, the log robot that receives your log, log checking report, etc), and contest operating tips.