Good grief, the time the OP had in this thread I would have it a CM rotor on the mast and using it. Mine works great.

When I was doing some 2 meter weak signal this past summer all I had was stacked 4 element Arrow yagis mounted at 30 ft. I made some contacts 200 to 300 miles most mornings and evenings . But I grew bored of it. I am sure if one could get some real antenna height it would be fun.

I was not going acknowledge this but why not? I answered this before you asked on post 10 on the first page.

"Yea, I am looking forward to the VHF party this weekend but unfortunately I have to work Sat-Mon but I will be monitoring a little after work. 12 hr work days prohibit any serious participation but still looking forward to hearing some activity."

You are right! I know I have a small station compared to the big shooters but I am still good for 100 miles plus.  It would be a great band for local rag chews etc if more folks were involved. I would think any Tech would be thrilled to experiment with 2 meter SSB. I am on a quest to get some locals I know involved somehow. I even bought a radio for one life long friend to use who has been studying for his license. If I just had one reliable contact to test antennas and radios etc it would make a world of difference. I also give my call on 152 FM with out much action. Oh well. ..

Thanks for all the suggestions,read them all and they are appreciated. I am not finished experimenting with 2 meters yet but I think if I add another band it will be 6 meters. After that I might get the general and start using 20m and 40 meters. I am taking it slow, I have more time than money being a family man with kids heavily in sports etc.  I also use a beacon about a 140 miles SE from me to tell me what the current propagation might be doing. And I use this site which is always interesting http://aprs.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/.  And I also sometimes check in and always listen to the Wednesday night KC9BQA SSB net.http://kc9bqa.com/.  I also am encouraging some local CBers to give up their wayward ways and become amateur radio operators, one of my life long friends is studying now and already has a 2 meter dual band and antenna up on the roof of his home. I also am considering doing some roving , we have a State Park about 25 miles from here with 1200 ft elevations with nice look out points. My home is at 820ft which is a little higher than the immediate surrounding areas. I am in the process soon to raise the stacked 4 elements another 10 ft in the air. There, probably more than you all wanted to know.

Yea, I am looking forward to the VHF party this weekend but unfortunately I have to work Sat-Mon but I will be monitoring a little after work. 12 hr work days prohibit any serious participation but still looking forward to hearing some activity.

Nah, Repeaters are  a bore, I am a ssb man, I know I am lacking in height but I have been only licensed since January and already have a fair ssb station, improvements will keep coming. just letting out steam..

I hear ya WA4NJY, but 2meter activity is really sad, I am a new ham and really trying to participate in the ill fated VHf, trying really hard. I will check out the site you linked..

I have a modest setup,I am running a Kenwood TS700sp with a small amp. maybe 80-100 watts with stacked 4 elements only 30ft. I made one contact from Peoria around 230 miles away, thats it all day.

I have been calling CQ on 144.200 in all headings for the last 11 hrs and only made one contact, this sucks!

Its sad to think neighborhoods wouldn't need HOA's if neighbors voluntarily had respect for each other. In my neighborhood everyone keeps their place looking top notch just out of respect for the neighbors without an HOA. Being the only ham in the neighborhood I run small antennas as to not offend anyone. Unfortunately not everyone feels the same way, to be honest I wouldn't be too happy about the guy next door installing a Moonraker 6 on a 10 ft roof tower but there is nothing I could about it. It is a slippery slope for sure.

I can truly sympathize, I think everyone should be able to have antennas. But at the same time this is a contract you voluntarily sign. Are contracts not worth anything? Should I be able to change any contract I sign because I don't agree with it anymore? If you sign a contract with your employer should they be able to change it because they feel your benefits etc. have become too expensive?

I am always confused by this issue. Do not home buyers choose to purchase homes in neighborhoods with HOA's and voluntarily sign the agreement?