New Categories for ARRL VHF Contests
The April 25th issue of Contest Update from the ARRL had this item:
The ARRL Programs and Services Committee has approved a rule change for ARRL VHF+ contests effective beginning in 2013 (not this year) to create a Single-Op FM-only category (100 W max, 50/144/222/440 MHz) and a three-band Single-Op category (100 W PEP on 50 and 144 MHz, 50 W PEP on 432 MHz). These changes will apply to the January, June, and September contests – again, beginning with the 2013 January VHF Sweepstakes.
I am always looking for ways to get more people involved in VHF contests and these two new categories may help. The basic idea is to create categories for simpler stations to participate in the contests without having to be in the same category as The Big Guns.
73, Bob K0NR
I really wonder how these new categories will play out. Why were they chosen in lieu of an “IC-706 category” that permits SSB/CW with 100/50/20 watts on 6/2/432?