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
It’s about time they began including guys like me who are stuck on 2m FM in contests like this. I was really starting to feel like every ARRL contest was exclusive to guys who could afford $1000-plus all-mode rigs. Thanks for opening things up to us little guys, ARRL.