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.
Saturday VHF 101 Program for Beginners
Members and leadership of the Central States VHF Society will provide an unique introduction into the exciting world of VHF/UHF/microwave operations.
This exclusive program will be offered on Saturday, July 29 from 9:00-11:00am. Admission to the VHF101 program is free if attending the Central States VHF Society, or included with attendance to the Sunday VHF102 program.
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!
VHF101 Presentation Lineup
A First Look at Weak Signal VHF and Up
Marshall Williams K5QE will provide an introductory overview of VHF/UHF operations, station components, and propagation and stations.
A First Look at VHF and Up Antennas
Kent Britain WA5VJB will provide a presentation on simple-to-build VHF/UHF/microwave antennas, followed by a complimentary, hands-on activity for attendees to build their own UHF yagi tuned to the 432 MHz weak signal band, the 435 MHz AMSAT band, or the 445 MHz FM band. Attendees will have the opportunity to tune their antennas using an RF network analyzer, and them home to use.
Contact Us
Please don't hesitate to contact the organzing team behind this year's Central States VHF Society Conference with questions, ideas, and other event related feedback.
- For general inquiries, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- For questions related to registration, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- To make a prize contribution to this year's Conference, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(Note: Contact information for proceedings, presentation, and posterboard related inquiries and submissions are found in "Guidance Documents" section of this website.)
We will attempt to respond to your inquiry within 24 hours of receipt.
Commemorative 2017 CSVHFS Conference Pin
The 2017 Central States VHF Society Conference is excited to offer a special lapel pin to commemorate this year's event. The pin design is shown below.
Pins can be purchased in advance via online or paper registration for $5 each, or at the door for $7.50 each.
Thursday NRAO Very Large Array (VLA) Tour
03 July Update: All available space for the special CSVHFS tour of the VLA has been filled. Per the VLA, we are not permitted to grow the special tour group any further, and each person registered for the tour will be credentialed for access.
If you were unable to register for the special tour before it filled but would still like to visit it during your time in New Mexico, the VLA offers a variety of standard walking tours that might interest you, and you may certainly participate in any of those on your own. Visit https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/ for more information, hours of operations, and driving directions.
The 2017 Central States VHF Society Conference is proud to announce its partnership with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Very Large Array (VLA) to provide conference attendees and accompanying spouses and family members with a very up-close-and-personal tour of the iconic VLA located outside of Magadelena, New Mexico on the day of Thursday, July 27.
The VLA consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration, each antenna being 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. The data collected by each sky oriented antennas is combined electronically to create an effective resolution of an antenna that is 36km (22 miles) across, possessing the sensitivity of a dish that is 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter.
This tour, which will be provided by fellow amateur radio operators who work for the VLA, will provide an overview of the mission of the VLA, its capabilities, and how it has advanced the science of radio astronomy. Participants will be treated to an up close look at least one of the VLA antennas.
Those registered for this one-of-a-kind tour should plan to arrive in Albuquerque on Wednesday, July 26. An air-conditioned tour bus will depart from the convention hotel on Thursday at 8:00am. Boxed lunches and water will be provided.