ARRL VHF Contest September 2025

Thanks to Dave, K1TTT, for the use of his First Class station!

AA2SD/R and KE5NJ/R Pack Rat Rovers Team Up for the September VHF Contest in the Poconos.

Pocono Mountains Sept 13-15th 2025 AA2SD/R KE5NJ Rover 
Saturday Contest Start - We started this Rove at the beginning of the contest with (2) different
overlooks, with Chris KE5NJ/R located on FN20 on top of the 100 Mile overlook at FlagStaff Mountain.
I started at Big Pocono State Park FN21 for the start of the contest at 2200 ft elevation. Overall
Conditions for 2 and 6 Mtrs appeared to be generally flat for the entire contest. During the first
(4) hours I worked 50 QSO’s all on the phone. My microwave system switch was not working so I
moved back to a (4) band rover only. During the evening at base camp we operated FT8 using a smaller
moxon antenna and 2 mtr beam.

Sunday We Grid Circled to the following Locations as Tandem Rovers
During Sunday (2) Rovers Operated in Tandem - as a unique experience during Sunday Chris and I
operated as (2) separate rovers in each grid square we visited (3) additional Grid Squares from
overlook areas only. Operating in this fashion we will be able to pick up our count of contacts as
operators could easily work (2) rovers on 4 bands from one grid location. We visited (5) stops
during Sunday to maximize our foot print.

Grid Circle Plan for Rovers During Sunday
FN20 - 100 Mile Overlook Starting Point 1500 Ft
FN10 - New Location at 1800 feet across from a Dollar Store in Hazelton PA
FN11 - Lookout Motor Lodge in Drums PA .operated from the parking lot overlook
FN21 - Pensacone Mountain Fire House Location open field 1800 
FN20 - Penns Peak Roadies Restaurant 1500 Feet 


Grid Circling Plan During Sunday allowed us to hit (4) Grids as Tandem Rovers all from Overlooks in
the Pocono Mountains


Base Camp Set up at the 100 Mile Overlook - We set up base camp on top of a camping ridge located in
Jim Thorpe Pa at 1500 feet. We used this position to operate in the evening on FT8 and regroup for
the next day. As part of our Roving and Camping experience my XYL Donna had prepared a full on
catered camping menu for each evening, along with a healthy breakfast to power us for the day. We
enjoyed steaks on the grill, home made chili, western omelets and flap jacks for breakfast. We also
would like to thank Andrea K2EZ/R  Rover for coming by in the evening with a friendly and
informative visit with us and enjoying some home made Chili over the open fire at camp side.



Western Omelettes  prepared on the Mountain for the Rover

Base Camp Set up at the 100 Mile Overlook - We set up base camp on top of a camping ridge located in
Jim Thorpe Pa at 1500 feet. We used this position to operate in the evening on FT8 and regroup for
the next day. As part of our Roving and Camping experience my XYL Donna had prepared a full on
catered camping menu for each evening, along with a healthy breakfast to power us for the day. We
enjoyed steaks on the grill, home made chili, western omelets and flap jacks for breakfast.





Equipment Challenges for Microwaves - after testing my new bands three times, the switching
arrangement did not function and I abandoned the strategy to run these bands. No changes to the
system, and a driveway test, basement and net test before the rove checked out. I think the issue is
vibration and we will trouble shoot this with Ray and it get it ready on the bands for the next
Contest. Being flexible as a Rover and adjusting on the fly is important.


Summary Initial Results from the Trip - Overall this was an “epic first time Rover” trip we
combined camping in a beautiful natural overlook, with great food, excellent camaraderie and learned
how to Grid Chase as Tandem rovers. We also worked to trouble shoot some equipment issues and Chris
came fully prepared with all of the camping gear and back up tools and essentials. Overall the band
conditions were mediocre at best, and we did not enjoy any 6 mtr openings during the weekend. The
entire focus was to have “Fun and Play Radio” and provide a target for other operators to help
with their scores. Thanks to all that worked us during this week, and you can expect more Tandem
Rover Plans from Chris and Myself during the upcoming events. We also would like to extend the
invitation to any other local Rovers to join in with us as we plan our next Grid Chase Rove Plan. 


Raw Score: 208 Qpts x 40 Mults = 8,320
Note: The raw score, QSO points and mult totals are estimates based solely on the individual log
contents and are not used during subsequent log checking.

 Start Date : 2025-09-13

    CallSign Used : AA2SD/R
      Operator(s) : AA2SD/R

Operator Category : SINGLE-OP
             Band : ALL
            Power : LOW
             Mode : SSB
          Station : ROVER-LIMITED
         Assisted : NON-ASSISTED

Used Vertical on top of Mt. Washington - big mistake should have read:
https://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/my-articles/how-to-work-a-vhf-contest/

Thanks to KG6CIH/R for providing many contacts on 10 Bands!

Marty AF5T on Palomar Mountain near San Diego, CA, and his Jeep acting as counterweight for his
antenna set-up. Photocred: N6MD

I know 1 of the 2m contacts is labeled wrong. it was FM but I don't remember which. sorry.

I had intended to operate this contest full-time, but a family medical emergency kept me away from
the shack most of the weekend.  I found conditions and activity about average for September.  I ran
three Windows11 PCs with multiple instances of WSJT-X in an effort not to miss any activity.  The
highlight of the contest was running four bands on SSB with KG9AP....shades of yesteryear.  Getting
up early Sunday morning for meteor scatter was productive on 6 meters, but I was disappointed not to
be able to make any contacts on 2 meters MSK144.

6m: K3s, 200w amp, 4el LFA or OCFD
2m: IC9700, 9el LFA
1.25m: IC375A, 15el M2 Yagi
70cm: IC9700, 21el M2 Yagi

What happens when you're in the field and realize you left your 432MHz long yagi at home? Luckily, I
had along a wire POTA antenna, painter's tape, a VNA and forest with lots of sticks. It wasn't
pretty, but the hastily made 3 element Quad lasted all weekend and completed a few contacts. The
furthest being about 330km. 

Other than that moment of brilliance, the contest conditions were rather dismal.

A very casual effort -- I had two photography gigs this weekend,
WAE DX SSB and a broken rotor that was stuck pointing straight
south.  Def. not an ideal heading for me.  Frankly, I would much
rather have been on Mt. Greylock contributing to the W2SZ effort
but alas, it was not to be this time.
I handed out a few points on 6,2 and 70cm, all FT8.
I did peak at the SSB segments; nothing but crickets.
73, thanks for the Qs and see you in Jan!

Not doing this instance of the contest competativly.

This was a good contest with nothing failing or letting out of the magic smoke.  Propagation was
near non-existent making it difficult to break my September 2024 score.  Had it not been for EME
contacts and struggling to stay awake down to the last minutes on Sunday night, I would not have
come close.   Final results put me 448 points above last year's total.

Poor conditions and low turnout. Rovers made the contest.

Good contest, improved my score, see my blog for more at
https://k5nd.net/2025/09/september-vhf-contest-2025-butt-in-chair/

Dismal conditions.  Worked the only two stations heard--both locals.

Portable on Mt Constitution CN88np on Orcas Island at Cascade Overlook at 1400ft.

Football was great!  Ham radio?  No so much.  Slowest contest I can remember.

K7YO operating from fixed CN85.

6M never opened the whole weekend.

My treasure hunting club had a treasure hunt before the contest started. I started the contest from
CN87 at woodland park it was in a hole. Then I went to Horizen View Park in the Lake Forest Park
area in CN87 that park is up about 550 feet

Then on Sunday I went to Green Mountain in the Granite Falls area CN98,and then I went to CN97 in
the Ross Lake Monroe area. there are a couple of areas that are ok but I'm looking for a better
location for CN97

The small problem I had I forgot to put my 220 radio in the car so I did not have 220 with me

Nice aurora on Sunday evening for extra contacts!

Definitely the best I have done in a contest so far but my equipment
needs improving. Maybe my location needs improving too!

First time operating a portable station and an analog only station for the VHF contest.
The portable operation was unplanned but I had a great time and made a few contacts.
The bonus was a VHF/UHF POTA activation of US-1352.

All with a Yaesu VX-7R HT. should be bonus points for sweating in September. Helping husband with a
few QSOs

KD6EFQ/R activated two grids from two POTA parks, along the San Diego
County coast; one in each grid: Cabrillo National Monument US-0907 in DM12
and Moonlight State Beach US-3479 in DM13.
POTA activity was much more fun for me than this ARRL VHF contest rover rule
of minimum 5km distance for contest QSOs.  All QSOs count for POTA.
In more than 30-years of VHF contests, this new rule seems to be the least fun.
VHF bands seemed to have variable propagation along the California coast
from San Diego to Orange County DM03
only a few stations at elevation on summits were received widely in SDG.
N6KN in DM03 made a QSO on 23cm FM with KD6EFQ/R at Cabrillo National Monument.
Many stations in SDG section were not heard to making QSOs to OC or LAX
while the coastal tropo ducting was not apparent.
KD6EFQ/R used a laptop with WSJTX for FT8 mode on 50.315 MHz to make some
digital QSOs to nearby stations, but nothing farther than N6WS in CM95.
AF5T was on a mountain in DM13 and completed two 23cm QSOs with KD6EFQ/R, one
while KD6EFQ/R was activating Moonlight State Beach US-3479 DM13 Encinitas
and another while KD6EFQ/R was activating US-0907 in DM12.
The on-air contest activity was useful for amateur radio operator experience
on VHF and UHF without using repeaters or links.

DISMAL 6M ACTIVITY, NOTHING NEW OR NEEDED
6M LAND OF HOPE, HOPE FOR DAYS OF GOOD WORLDWIDE PROPAGATION

I am a newer ham and this contest has been helpful to me in working on
the different bands.

Despite the seemingly slow pace and little SSB activity, this contest may have been my best outing
yet! I felt organized, left home plenty early to reach my first operating position (which was a
different spot than I had planned), and seemed to have a consistent following of operators even
though only 2-3 had my phone number. I may have some duplicates out of the 143 entries in my log.
Regardless, I made more contacts on 222 and 432 than I ever had before. A couple of stations told me
that 222 was my strongest band. I'm sold on 222! This was my first trip with a new, lighter tower
setup on my car. I'm pleased with it! Until next time... KE4WMF/R

I was activating SOTA summit W6/SC-366

Operated from yard with portable gear. Solar/battery powered, antennas in trees.
Assisted by W7RAT for one contact. Practicing emergency-ready communications.

PLEASE FIX YOUR LOG SUBMISSION, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 2025 IT SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT TO
SUBMIT A SILLY LOG FOR A SILLY CERTIFICATE. 

PLEASE LOOK INTO TURNKEY ALTERNATIVES LIKE MICROSOFT SUITE OR GOOGLE SUITE. 

otherwise i enjoyed the contest, though i wish i had more activity in my area on 2m & 6m, calling cq
on ft8 for an hour straight with no response except for PSK reporter is INFURITATING.

6 meters using Icom IC-7300 and a 3 element portable yagi 10 feet
high. 2 meters using Icom IC-746 and a 5 element yagi 12 feet
high on a portable mast.  Max digital power 35 watts.  FM using
mobile radios and mag mount antennas.

Limited time (9 hours)-very limited propagation (almost none).

Thanks for everyone that worked me! The contest was fun. Will do this again, but likely at a higher
position

KO6EFG/R contested as a rover from Mission bay boat race and his house.

First contest I participated in.

Casual operating just for fun ;)

I am back on 2 Meters, thanks to Greg, WQ0P. Made most of my contacts
there. My 2M yagi had some issues Saturday and missed working N0LD/R
in EM04 despite multiple decodes from Randy. It was very hot out while
portable Saturday. Hotter than June! No Es on 6 Meters. 2 Meter yagi
repaired and back in action on Sunday morning. Some local tropo and I worked KF0BBU EM18 and WA0QHJ
EN00 on 2 Meters. 6 Meter meteor scatter seemed sparse 
with only a couple of stations copied.

6m could have been a LOT better!  70cm outperformed # of QSOs on 6m.
Our Unlimited Rover journey took us to EM04, EM05, EM06, EM14, EM15,
EM16, EM24, EM25, EM26. Worked two Mountain Tops, Circled two grids,
and line-danced between EM04-EM14 / EM14-EM15. Weather was good, but
hot. No appreciable ducting encountered. Our score suffered without
KF0M and WQ0P's QSOs. We got to sleep at home. Paralleled N5ZY/R up
through 11 AM CDT on Sunday. Bands were quiet after 7 PM Sunday
evening - we might as well have just come home at that time.

We used a new rig and had a few integration deficiencies. However, we experienced no equipment
failures. We tried to run analog only. The digital modes were hot. We returned home to get the
laptop. We operated in a new state for us.

We had a blast.

Operated from my usual hilltop spot.
Bit slower on Sunday!

I was able to add a sixth band to my capabilities, 10 GHz. Looking forward to adding more bands in
future VHF contests!

It's really too bad that the June VHF scores are STILL not final.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much time for this contest due to family
conflicts, but I was able to get out briefly. I went to a POTA park
in
the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (US-6532) and operated
Single Op Portable (QRP, Analog Only) for about an hour. While setup
and take-down took about as long, it was still a lot of fun and a
great opportunity to make contacts on these bands. Leave no band
behind! 73, Mike N2MAK

75% of my QSOs were local in the Mobile, AL area

More detail on my blog at https://n5zy.org/
Ahh Oklahoma on 6m in Sept, the end of the summer sporadic E season.  My 772 mile journey took me
through 10 grid squares before the 12v LiFePO4 battery voltage was depleted, ending my contest one
grid short of my goal.  This rover excursion began at EM04 then I did a line dance with N0LD/R at
EM04/EM15, EM15/EM16 then a grid corner with N0LD/R at EM05/06/16/15 Saturday.  I then made my way
overnight to Tulsa to begin Sunday morning.  Sunday again with N0LD/R we grid-danced EM25/26/16/15
then I progressed South to EM25, 24, 23, and 14.  My radio battery was dead before I reached EM13. 
6m was clearly tired and 'not having any of that' for Sp-E and especially not any MSp-E although it
certainly enjoyed teasing me.

Interesting contest from my operating position on back deck
overlooking Puget
Sound to Mt. Baker & Cascade Mts. Summer day on Saturday and
rain/mist
all
day Sunday. No DX noted: only heard 1 Portland, OR station on CW at
that.
Equipment:
6m: FT991 & 3 element Hilltopper
2m: FT991 & 7 element M2 yagi
135cm: ALINCO DJG-29T FM handheld & 6 element VJB Cheepie Yagi
70cm: FT991 & 8 element M2 yagi
33cm: ALINCO DJG-29T FM Handheld & VJB Cheepie yagi

WX was sunny and warm Saturday, had some interesting tropo to start.
Sunday was wet in the morning and cool/dry in the afternoon.
May have discouraged some Rovers making an effort this weekend.
Sunday AM had some intersing MS, considering it was September.
Last hour was a suprise with some strong AU. Just a couple stations
on. Never know what might pop up at the end of a Contest.

Above usual activity on analog which was fun!

Despite limited operating hours, paper logging, and a compromised
city-lot setup, I had a lot of fun. Many thanks to Richard KD6BQ who
gave me a a better 2m yagi antenna, which I managed to get in the air
before the contest. I think it made a big difference. Grateful also to
Rachel W7RLN, who was kind enough to take a tri-band HT with her when
she walked the dog around the neighborhood. Contacts are sparse up
here in the Great Basin and we'll take all we can get!

One of the most disappointing September contests ever.  Near the
end, there was a fairly big opening into FI07, EI97, etc.  But
none of them would answer me.

Could not e any worse. Bad conditions and no participants!

Probably the lowest Rover Score ever submitted. But I learned a lot and had fun. Thanks to  the XYL
for setting up portable in the hot sun to give me a few QSOs.
Highlight of the weekend was a tour of the KG9OV/R rover-mobile. Saturday roof of parking  garage
near IL State Capitol, Sunday EM49/EM59/EN40/EN50 corner area.

N3FJP logger says 3 hours on. Lots of dead time between contacts. It
was really 6 hours of BIC time in terrible conditions. I really miss
being in a enthusiastically  populated V/UHF area like it was in EN52.
At least there were rovers galore and FM activity to keep one occupied.
I'm glad I made the desision to not invest in 2m/1.25m/70cm weak signal
antennas and all that goes with that installation when I retired and
relocated to the sticks of TN. Would have been a waste!
73 Gene N9TF

Just a couple of hours on Sunday.
K4D, KPA500, G5rv Wire.
Mostly only neighbors and close states.
Some single signal decodes which faded quickly.
TE to central America at sunset... then crickets.
Glad to give folks a Q for their logs.
73

Wish 6m was open more from IL.

As a disabled vet I have a couple of challenges. Two conjoined
issues ganged up, agn, to waylay my otherwise good effort to
submit my log by the deadline. Most won't understand, many won't
care. Anyway, I had a mostly good rove that had challenges of
its own. To my eye there weren't the number of ops on the air as
over the last two or three years. Really. Some Grids seemed to be
bereft of anyone! Of four grids (two/then three with a revisit)
I almost didn't find anyone on in-range. Weird. There's usually a
"tiredness factor" trip up, and this time it was not changing my
"HF" callsign for this one when I fired up wsjt-x. He got the
QSO/Grid, I didn't. Oh well. When few seem to be on I've wondered
on occasion why to go out the next time. So far I have. In as
much as June VHF went sideways with seemingly even fewer ops on
in some grids I thought to put some effort into this one. Alas.
I'm out of the running or a recovery. Likely see you all next
time though. grin 73, John

Very fine weather for this event.  No extended propagation observed.  AU reported Sunday night was
not observed or detected on the radio.

Station count felt low but was masked by some good band runs.  Analogue CQs are increasingly rare
and the FT8 waterfalls seemed less populated.

Every band added adds another level of difficulty to the roving puzzle.   The implementation of an
FT8 instance is effectively another, more difficult, band, as is the need to service non-amateur
communication.  

The final chapter is not written.

BAND           QSOs              MULTS

50             73                19
144            72                21
222            45                10
432            43                11
902            27                7
1.2G           29                7
2.3G           14                7
3.4G           5                 2
5.7G           8                 7
10G            13                7
24G            8                 7
123G           7                 7
LIGHT          7                 7

Only did a few QSOa to help out others.

My transmitted mode is shown for cross-mode contacts
Log contains NO duplicate QSOs not counted in claimed score
Equipment -
50 MHz FTDX10 100 W (60 W on DG), Moxon
144 MHz K2+DEMI Xvtr+B2518G 100W,5 el Yagi & FT-290RII 25W,GP indoors
222 MHz K2 + XV222 20 W, 4 el Yagi
432 MHz K2+MMT432/28 xvtr + amp 50W,10el Yagi & Retevis RT-95 20W+GP(ants indoors)
903 MHz K2 + HB Rx Conv + HB TX 5 W, 7 el Yagi indoors
1296 MHz FT-290R + MM xvtr + amp 6W, 10el Yagi indoors
2304 MHz FT-290R + HB xvtr 1W, 9 el Yagi indoors
3456 MHz FT-290R + HB xvtr 1 W, 15 dBi horn indoors
10 GHz K2 + 2m xvtr + DB6NT xvtr + amp 2 W, 2ft. dish indoors
24 GHz FT-818 + HB Xvtr 250 mW, 1 ft dish indoors

BAND           QSOs      PTS        MULTS

50             7          7           7
144            8          8           7
222            8         16           7
432            7         14           7
902            8         24           7
1.2G           8         24           7
2.3G           7         28           7
3.4G           0          0           0
5.7G           7         28           7
10G            7         28           7
24G            7         28           7
123G           7         28           7
LIGHT          7         28           7
88       261          84

Grids activated:			    7


Totals:		             261 QSO Pts x 91 mults = 23,751

UHF Contact over 480 Miles!

6 Meters FM - Alinco DR-06T 50 watts, 2 Meters FM - Kenwood TR751A 25 watts, 1.25 Meters FM - Alinco
DR-CS25T 50 watts, 70 Cm FM - IC-47A 25 watts, outdoor omni antennas up 20-25 feet

New tower and antennas from 50-1296 MHz operational,
except 432 not working and 902 / 1296 weak.
Needs more work I guess.
Just barely broke 1000 points 40 contacts.
Saw many friends from local area on air.
Unfortunately no 6m opening when I was on

One radio at a time.
Contacts with N2OA & N2YB include duplicates based on contact rules
but I don't know which they logged; some contacts were primarily for
Parks on the Air.

operating from Flag Pole Knob, VA

Mountaintop portable from peak of Sassafras Mtn- highest point in SC.
XCVR 5w HT, ANT extended double zepp

All had fun at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach CA 90277

Thank you everyone for all the contacts!

Operated from a Michigan State Park on the shores of Lake Erie. A very different experience because
I worked so many different grid squares, in the beginning almost every contact was a new grid. Being
on the shore impacted negatively on working contacts in Michigan.

Good activity but mediocre propagation; little tropo, no Es on 6 meters.

Conditions not so great here this year on all bands.

Only a few contacts on 6 meter Es; lots of one and done
decodes though.

I did work a few more on 432 than in any previous contest
though.

Conditions were not particularly great and participation in the
Tristate NY area was low.  I sincerely hope that the ARRL considers
changes to the contest format for the September and January VHF
contest events to encourage more activity.

Check log only

Loops on 2 meter and 70 CM

I had fun getting Jim again from the north on 6M. His (evidently)
ground-wave signal was surprisingly strong. Aside from that QSO,
no success and no signals were heard on 2 Meters. I wish the 6M band
would open again soon.

Made 19 phone contacts activating rare grid square FN51 on Cape Cod on the 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 432
MHz bands:)

As always, the thrill comes with the hard to pull off contacts.

It was back to my usual portable activating plan,  after skipping
June, at Blue Mount State Park and summit references: US-1441,
KFF-1441, and W9/WI-010. Summer was back in Wisconsin with conditions
mostly sunny and warm for my operating periods. I could have been out
in the field earlier for this two-day operating adventure, but this
year's September was worth it picking up new somewhat-local callsigns.
No major openings, but I was able to better understand how my
equipment works in this setup.
Equipment was KX3 with homebrew 6m full-wave rectangular loop, FT-818
and KG-UV8T with Elk 2M/440L5 and homebrew copper pipe 222 Moxon, and
TH-350 with stock tri-band whip. Again! A solid setup I'm now
well-practiced with.

Analog Only, dupes left in