RSGB 2022 Convention - VHF Contesting trends and tips

Andy Cook, G4PIQ
Contesting at VHF has been a popular part of the hobby for many years and an area where things are always changing. This lecture looks at some of the techniques which have developed over the years and how you can take advantage of them to help you grow your score. The lecture looks at what you really needed in hardware and software to make them work for you, what a state-of-the-art contest setup looks like now, and perhaps de-bunks a few commonly held myths with some data.
Andy Cook, G4PIQ has been wrapped up in radio contesting for over 40 years on both HF and VHF, both as a single operator, and as part of multi-operator teams. He’s been lucky enough to have had a fair bit of success at both ends of the spectrum and he’s represented the UK in two WRTCs. Over the past few years, activity has been patchier due to the demands of a family, but he still tries to sneak as much operating in as he can. As penance for all this, he’s served two long stints separated by 10 years, on the RSGB VHF Contest Committee, and is currently Chair of that Committee.

[@Henning_Rech]

DF9IC/DR9A here:
13:45 we "cross the streams" intentionally - but this works only under special conditions and with full phase control between the various groups. You are 100% correct for the usual setups.
23:58 we used a single 14 MHz crystal filter for our run frequency since 2006, and also built one for our next neighbour soon after. BTW they used to produce up to -13 dBm at our antenna before they changed their QTH a bit. The filters on both sides help to stay happier 😀 - Since about 2016 each OP has his own box with switchable 14 MHz filters from S53WW.
27:27 cannot agree enough. We have a PERSEUS SDR with home made downconverter which allows to measure down to -150 dBc/Hz on site connected to PA monitor outputs because sometimes shit happens, and we want to know. - Reliability is the key if you have tuned your station otherwise - in 2022 we lost to SN7L by 0.8% because we had a 45 min 230 V power outage on Sunday morning.
32:27 during peak hours we have a 3rd OP in the background to arrange skeds on KST for the two active OPs.
I like your presentation very much, it reflects our own thoughts.

[@G0KAD]

I missed this talk live so a great chance to hear the strategies. A good discussion with Alwyn coming up!

[@TheRSGB]

Glad you are enjoying it! Look out for our other presentations that will be released over the next few days - or subscribe to our channel so you don't miss out on anything!

[@ianxfs]

Another great RSGB lecture. Great that these are released on UA-cam as I struggle to view direct from the RSGB site due to site performance.

[@TheRSGB]

Glad you are enjoying them! Look out for our other presentations that will be released over the next few days - or subscribe to our channel so you don't miss out on anything!