I'm learning that there are a lot of contests/sprints/etc on VHF+. They use SSB/CW and some digital (FT8). FM is probably permitted, but I don't know how often it's used in practice. A lot of the higher frequency contests like 10GHz, etc use 2m SSB to coordinate contacts. I think these bands perform better during the summer when HF isn't so good. I'll have to consider this for next summer.
There are weekly activity nights for different bands. I forget the schedule but 2m might be Mondays, 222MHz on Tuesday, etc. They use a reflector site (message board) somewhere in Europe to chat and setup contacts. It's not just for people in Europe, it just happens to be hosted in Europe. I might have the info on my other computer. I'll look next time I'm on it and see what I have.
If you want to go even higher than 70cm, I know 144MHz is a popular transverter input frequency. Some take 28MHz, but if that's something that might interest you it's worth considering.
Not that it's a reason to buy a radio with all mode 2/70 capabilities, but a friend and I have chatted on 2/70 SSB a number of times. It's kind of cool because FM would not reach. But with my 857 connected to a yagi sitting in the backyard I'm able to reach him. Granted he's got a hella yagi that likely does most of the heavy lifting.
Some SOTA guys use SSB on 2/70 as well, if you think you might be into that. I'm not sure about around here, but out west anyway. K6ARK is one guy who comes to mind.
It's a shame the newer, nicer Yaesu radios aren't including VHF/UHF. I hope my 857 lives forever.
