ALASKA VHF-UP GROUP

50-MHz to Microwave



   This is the webpage for the Alaska VHF-Up Group; An informal Amateur Radio group promoting interest 
   in VHF and higher frequencies with emphasis on long-distance, weak-signal operations.  
   This group will also facilitate entering VHF, UHF and microwave contests in Alaska.  The group will
   be loosely affiliated with the Pacific NW VHF Society and the Leo Society of Alaska.
 
   Meetings will be ocassionally arranged for the sole purpose of getting together hams with common 
   interests in VHF and higher techology.  Membership is promoted for the purpose of providing a list
   of Alaskan Hams sharing similar interests in VHF and "Up".  Charter membership was offered to those
   who joined by December 31, 2005.  Regular membership began on January 1, 2006.
IF YOU ARE ACTIVE ON - OR JUST INTERESTED IN VHF/UHF or HIGHER ACTIVITIES --- WHY NOT JOIN THE ALASKA VHF-UP GROUP?
Here is the excel form for signing up. If you cannot open excel forms go here for a reader. Or you can e-mail KL7UW for more information. If you are new to VHF "weak-signal" operation or only have FM experience, you should read my article from the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club Newsletter, then read the introductory articles posted on the Pacific NW VHF Society website, and another interesting article about getting on VHF-SSB from Bob Witte, K�NR. K7CW writes an convincing argument on using digital modes for VHF and Up.

Business and BOD Actions: See the Constitution and By-Laws for the rules for nominations and election. Nominations for Board of Directors open from May 1-31; Election June 1-30 New term runs 1 July, 2011 - 30 June, 2013 Nominations for Board of Directors closed on June 1st with no nomination being received other than the incumbent directors, so they are automatically re-elected per Section 1.1 under policies in the constitution. Board of Directors June 2011-2013: Ed Cole, KL7UW, Paul Kiesel, K7CW, and Robert Rowley, AL2B. First order of business of for the new board is selection of officers starting July, 1 2011. Officer terms run from Sept. 1, 2011 - August 31, 2013. Any member of AVG, in good standing, can apply for an office. It is assumed the incumbents are willing to continue to serve unless notification is received by the Board of Directors. The Board has chosen to continue with the existing officers, listed below: AVG Officers July 2011-2013:
  • President - Ed Cole, KL7UW
  • Vice President - Dale Hershberger, KL7XJ
  • Secretary - Treasurer - TBA
Appointments:
  • Contest/Awards Chair - Paul Kiesel, K7CW
  • Webmaster - Ed Cole, KL7UW
The annual meeting be held concurrent with the Kenai or Anchorage Hamfests, and during the Annual PNWVHFS Conference. This should provide a convenient time and reasonable accessibility for the majority of members: 2011 Annual Meeting (1.07Mb) Members are encouraged to report their activities/projects for inclusion on this webpage for all to read. The AVG webpage serves as the Newsletter of events and activities (see archives of previous years activities at end of this page).
NEW Alaska VHF-UP E-mail Reflector: Link to subscribe to AK-VHF reflector. Note: Subscription is available to members-only of the AK VHF Up Group.
NEW Alaska VHF-UP Award: Here are the Rules, and samples of the two certificates.
Membership List: Follow this link for the Membership List.
Activity Nets:
  • TUESDAY-NET: "Big City Simplex Net" #, 144.200 MHz SSB, 2000-local time, KL7CY Net Control.
  • SATURDAY-NET: "Alaska VHF-Up Net", KL7UW Net Control, Schedule:
  • 1st Saturday - 144.200 MHz SSB, 0900-local time
  • 2nd Saturday - 146.52 MHz FM simplex, 0900-local time
  • 3rd Saturday - 144.200 MHz SSB, 0900-local time
  • 4th Saturday - IRLP/Echolink/Allstar, 0900-local time, Alaska-Wide VHF Coordination Net. This is a special net to help stations throughout Alaska to set up Skeds, coordinate VHF-Up activities and share info.
  • IRLP, Echolink,and Allstar are cross-connected for the net. Use IRLP Reflector "9070" or Echolink Alaska Net (connect to KL7M). IRLP 2-meter nodes: 145.210 (123-Hz) - Kenai, 145.15/144.55 (123-Hz) - Anchorage repeater, 147.55 (123-Hz) Mat-Su Valley, or other IRLP nodes around the state, see www.irlp.net.
# Net progresses to 6m/1.25m/70cm/33cm/23cm!
New Alaska-Yukon Weak-Signal Google Group: Larry, N1TX/KL7 has formed a new Internet discussion group on Google Groups. In his words: "I've create a Google Group devoted to weak signal work and experimentation for those of us in the Far North. Our unique position in the world offers many radio challenges, not the least of which is communicating over vast distances with difficult terrain and special ionospheric conditions. I invite you to join the Alaska-Yukon Weak Signal Group (http://groups.google.com/group/ak-wsg) to share your expertise, coordinate activities, and to ask/answer questions. EME, WSJT, WSPR, tropospheric and ionospheric propagation, and many more topics can be discussed in one convenient location." This is a public group, so anyone can join by visiting the web link above. Please pass the word, and drop by to introduce yourself and discuss your interests. 73 Larry KL7/N1TX KL7UW has joined the group and suggests google-group members join the AK VHF-Up Group since it has similar objectives. Likewise, I am recommending AVG Members joining the Google-Group if you are interested in weak-signal operations in the north.
VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference Schedule for 2010:
Suggested operating frequencies
BAND CW/SSB FREQ ANT POLARITY FM FREQ ANT POLARITY
6M 50.110/50.125 HORZ 50.30 VERT
2M 144.200 VERT 146.58 VERT
1.25M 222.100 VERT 223.50 VERT
70CM 432.100 VERT 446.00 VERT
33CM NONE VERT 927.50 VERT
23CM 1296.100 VERT 1294.50 VERT

ARRL JANUARY VHF Sweepstakes Contest: Jan 22-23, 2011: The contest begins 10:00 am AST Saturday and ends 7:00 pm Sunday. Operate all bands 50-MHz and higher. For details go to the ARRL contest webpage: January VHF Sweepstakes. Send me your plans for the contest to be listed here:
  • KL7UW will operate from home: 6m/2m/70cm/927.5FM/1296.100SSB/FM
  • NL7HJ, Ken, is planning another rover operation from Homer to Fairbanks on 6m/2m/70cm. He will operate CW/SSB/FM at stops and FM while mobile. His itinerary:
DAY AK TIME GRID LOCATION
SAT BO49 10:00-11:00 DIAMOND RIDGE
SAT BO49 11:00-11:30 HOMER HILL
SAT BO40 13:15-14:00 SOLDOTNA
SAT BP50 15:00-15:30 RUSSIAN RIV CG
SAT BP41 18:00-18:45 KINCAID PARK
SAT BP51 19:00-20:00 ANCH HILLSIDE
SAT* BP52 22:00-23:00 TALKEETNA
SAT* BP42 23:00-24:00 TALKEETNA
SUN BP53 11:00-12:00 HEALY
SUN BP54 13:30-14:30 NENANA
*Schedule may slide to 9am Sunday All members in Alaska are encouraged to submit a contest entry and log to the ARRL. The January contest is a club competition activity, so be sure to note that your club is "Alaska VHF-Up Group" on your contest entry. ARRL JUNE VHF QSO Party - June 11-12, 2011: Spring is here. Get those antennas ready for the June contest. Check out the new Contest page for the AK VHF-Up Group, created by our Contest Chair, Paul, K7CW. Information on VHF Contests will be on this new webpage. ARRL SEPTEMBER VHF QSO Party Sept. 10-11: Fall colors are about to change. Get those last minute antenna jobs completed so you can enjoy the September VHF contest. Link: Contest page EME Contests: Here is a link to the EME Page for the dates. VHF-Up DX Record: Here is the preliminary DX Record spreadsheet. Favorite Links: View some of our favorite links. Activities Archive: Here is a link to the Archives for 2005 Here is a link to the Archives for 2006 Here is a link to the Archives for 2007 Here is a link to the Archives for 2008 Here is a link to the Archives for 2009 Here is a link to the Archives for 2010