Hi All Delhi Hams/SWLs,

Recently, a request has come from VU3BSE (Alokesh Gupta) to introduce discussions after the general check-ins, which I also feel quite valid as the VHF net becomes monotonous and boring. In the past few years such requests also have emerged.

It is also pertinent to mention here that due to not so good propagation, HF activity has also gone down.

An especial request to Senior Hams, viz., VU2ATN, VU2DS, VU2YK, VU2BSB, VU2RAK, VU2DED, VU2BDX, VU2KD, VU2YI, VU2XD, VU2MUE, VU2UKR, VU2LRL, VU2RTV to come forward and share their experiences during the weekend DELHI VHF nets.

For the success of this endeavour it is important to change the Net Timing, i.e., 21:20 hrs start time and continued till 21:40 hrs (end time). After this, discussion will start.

Coming back to the point of discussion during the Delhi VHF nets, the topics for the coming week ends would be as follows:

November 21-20, 2009
(Sat) Long Range VHF Communication experiences.
(Sun) ISS radio contact experiences.

November 28-29, 2009
(Sat) CW contact experience in the past. Someunforgettable memories.
(Sun) Any CW VHF nets and how to start CW nets in Delhi. How to connect morse
key to VHF bases or Handies (few suggestions)? What should be the time?

December 5-6, 2009
(Sat) HF radio contacts on CW/Voice on all bands done during the month of
November 2009
(Sun) Discussion regarding Ham Picnic during Jan 2010.Place to be decided.
Homebrew Project (VHF beam or anything else). Finally, date to be decided.
(Say January 10, 2010). It is Sunday.Who will do what?

December 12-13, 2009
(Sat) Developments with respect to Ham Picnic and arrangements with respect to
homebrew VHF beam project. Hams to confirm for next days SimplexVHF Test
and time to be decided (say 10:30 a.m.)
(Sun) Simplex VHF Radio communication Test among NCR hams on Frequency
145.200. Selected this frequency as few hams have homebrew VHF sets on this
particular frequency. The role of propagation antenna and power would be
crucial during this test. The objective is to cover the maximum area in NCR This
will be done in the day time – 10:30 a.m.

December 19-20, 2009
(Sat) Outcome, i.e., confirmed points to be marked on NCR Map by a Delhi Ham (say
VU2GTI) and to be uploaded on VU2.IN website for future reference.
Comments/suggestions.
(Sun) Update on Ham Picnic development etc.

December 26-27, 2009
(Sat) Sunspot Cycle, propagation and suggestions From hams for the correct time
for HF Radio communication.
(Sun) General Check-in and miscellaneous discussion.

January 2-3, 2010
(Sat) Discussions pertaining to next weekend Ham Picnic and arrangements
(Sun) Same as above.

January 9-10, 2010
(Sat) Discussions pertaining to next weekend Ham Picnic and arrangements
(Sun) Same as above.

January 16-17, 2010
(Sat) Installation of VHF beams in respective shacks
(Sun) Repeat of December 13, 2009 Simplex VHF Radio Communication Test (few
hams using VHF beam homebrewed on January 10, 2010.

Kindly participate, at least, during weekends regularly with your experiences on the topic of the day.

73

VU2OEC
Rajesh Chandwani
Regional Representative of ARSI
Mobile 9873737694, 9968319153
Email: vu2oec@gmail.com

Hi All

Thanks to all the EIGHT hams for participating in the VHF Net Discussion Series on the Topic "Long Range VHF Communication Experiences" on November 21, 2009 (Saturday).

Hams were VU2MUE, VU2DS, VU2ATN, VU2ORO, VU2XLZ, VU3DJQ, VU2XD, VU3ORN and finally VU2YK.

VU3DJQ - Joined the net on direct frequency pumping 5 watts and later on 30 watts all the way from Narela. 5-9 Signal strength/Loud & Clear in Gurgaon. 60 KMS distance. Commensuarting to the topic of the day.

Experiences of the other hams:

VU2ATN - Used to contact way back in early 1990s on VHF between Uttarkashi and New Delhi. The exact location in Delhi (Alaknanda Appartments, New Delhi) during Uttarkashi Earthquake. VU2ATN (Atanu) also shared his experience of VHF communication from Kurseong to Coonchbehar (100 Kms).

VU2MUE - He had contact with VU2GTI from Kashipur (200 Kms) from New Delhi.

VU2XLZ - He apprised us about the Bangalore repeater being accessed from Chennai, quite a distance. Also, discussed about the probability of VHF communication between Kurseong and Kolkata.

VU2OEC expressed doubt on the possibility of this communication, which no one has
attempted yet. Great opportunity for some one visiting Darjeeling-Siliguri area to attempt
this feat.

VU2ORO - Got the ham ticket recently, but, a radio fanatic since childhood shared his SWL memories of listening to hams (on his VU2IF Homebrew VHF set) ragchewing between Kolkata andDurgapur (150 Kms).

VU2ORO - handle is RON (diminutive of Ranajay), also apprised of an old senior ham
with call sign VU2DPD who was very regular on VHF Simplex from Haldia (100 Kms) withone watt of power. Those were the days.

VU3ORN - (Handle is Ray) used to access Punjab Repeater (located at Naina Devi Temple) 80 Kms from Chandigarh. Total distance more than 300 Kms from Delhi. Also, had a QSO with VU2RNC based in Agra. That was five years back in Winter. Wish Punjab Repeater is revived soon.

VU2YK - (Rahul) Blast from the past. Year - 1980. Talked about the QSOs between Delhi and Jallandhar on VHF Simplex.

VU2RAK (Rakesh) - brother of Rahul was among the hams doing Radio Communication in Shimla region during Car Rally on VHF, were heard far away in Lahore. Later on got
confirmaton from Lahore hams.

There might be endless stories and experiences to be shared, but, being the first weekend and the start of VHF Net Discussion series it is very very encouraging.

Next topic for November 22, 2009 (Sunday) would be "ISS Radio Communication Experience".

73

VU2OEC
Rajesh Chandwani
Regional Representative of ARSI
Mobile 9873737694, 9968319153