My view is that the digital modes have added more tools to our contesting
tool box. A good mechanic knows what tools to grab from the tool box for a
certain job. A good mechanic will never try to use one tool to do every
job. I know some say "the world was built with a pair of vice grip pliers
and a roll of duct tape", but I see no hope for them :-)
I start VHF & Up contests on SSB for quick easy contacts. When all the
workable stations seem gone, switching to CW will get some more stations
that could not be worked on SSB. After that I go to FT8 for more contacts.
At this point I don't just call CQ and let it automatically happen because
that becomes boring. I scan the stations calling CQ for new grids, and call
them first. If I see a new grid at -30 on the screen, I do a quick QRZ
check for an accurate beam heading and most of the time work that station.
Now that's fun and not boring! At some time after working all the new grids
I can find, I will then just call CQ and work all the "locals" in close
grids who mostly only work FT8 and no other modes. When all other options
fail, I go to the ON4KST Region 2 Chat (another tool in the box) to see
what stations are not in my log. If you tend to be a "stick in the mud" and
believe that violates "the spirit of the contest" even though most sponsors
allow it, you will be missing some contacts and grid multipliers in your
log at the end of the contest.
Don't forget to go back to the SSB/CW/ and FM modes regularly to see if the
football game, picnic, calls from the XYL for help, etc are over and a
whole new pool of contacts are available. When they run out again, go back
to digital.
In closing, I believe the digital modes will not cause the "end of VHF+
contesting as we know it". If we all open our eyes and spend as much time
thinking about how to best use all the available tools we have. Rather than
being frustrated, we can still enjoy the hobby we all share for years to
come.
Respectfully submitted es 73,
Bob W2SJ
On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:26 AM Rick R <rick1ds@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Here's a thought—Even hours analog, Odd hours digital
> Or perhaps having an analog-only contest and a digital-only contest as has
> been suggested many times. Rick K1DS
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* newsvhf-bounces@mailman.qth.net <newsvhf-bounces@mailman.qth.net>
> on behalf of Paul Bourque <pbourque@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 17, 2024 11:18 AM
> *To:* k1ep@arrl.net <k1ep@arrl.net>
> *Cc:* Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com>; News group mailing list <
> newsvhf@mailman.qth.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [NEWSVHF] Dave and Fred and all
>
> A couple of years ago, I posted in Contest Update and recommended that
> stations call CQ and look for CW/SSB QSOs at the top and bottom of each
> hour. Of course, what really helps here is that some of the bigger gun
> stations get on and call CQ. Maybe we should make this a thing- similar to
> how K1WHS is helping bring back life to 222. But we need to get more
> stations on board for this to work. I'm not anti digital modes, but I
> really find it more enjoyable to work stations on phone (working on my CW
> skills, but not anywhere near ready for prime time with that.)
>
> This past contest, I was focussed on 6 meters because I'm so close to
> getting my VUCC on 6 and that was my goal for this contest. I only heard
> one station calling CQ on SSB (W2EA), which I had already worked. The CQs
> from my little gun station went unanswered. But I tried- I didn't make a
> single contact on SSB as my time was being wasted sitting there calling CQ
> to an empty band. BTW- my goal for getting closer to VUCC was successful-
> I'm sitting at 99 confirmed grids right now- and hoping that a couple of
> stations that I worked confirm for my 100th grid.
>
> In June, I roved to 3 sites in FN31, FN32 and FN42- (SSB/FM only). When I
> was in FN32- basically in W2SZs backyard, I was expecting to hear them on
> all three bands I had (6, 2, 432)- but they were suspiciously absent from
> SSB and FM. I did catch them calling CQ on 446.0 when I was driving down
> the hill from my FN42 location. I thought for sure I'd hear them on phone
> being so close to them. In years past, W2SZ was my "beacon" during
> contests- it was a sure bet that I'd get them in the log every contest.
>
> I'm really looking forward to any suggestions on how we can breathe some
> life back into CW and voice (SSB, FM, AM..) during the VHF contests.
>
> 73,
> -Paul N1SFE
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 10:23 AM Ed Parish <k1ep.list@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > If all of us abandon CW and SSB, then everyone will be on FT8. We still
> > need to call CQ on CW and SSB and make some activity there. It was
> > disheartening at tines to tune from 50.125 to 50.200 and not hear a
> single
> > SSB signal during the contest.
> >
> > On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 09:44 Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I don't "care" for digital modes either but I have worked folks on FT8
> > that
> > > I could not work on cw so it does have it's place. As a contester, you
> > have
> > > to go where the activity is, do I wish there was more cw/SSB, heck yes
> > but
> > > it is what it is.
> > >
> > > ANY VHF & up activity is welcome, hell I'll work you on FM or AM if
> > > necessary !!!
> > >
> > > Terry Price - W8ZN
> > > Directive Systems and Engineering
> > > 703-754-3876
> > >
> > >
> > > On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 8:50 AM Ellis Foley via NEWSVHF <
> > > newsvhf@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I agree whole heartedly with you Dave and Fred, I do not work FT8,
> just
> > > > not a digital guy in that respect. tried lots of things Rtty, ASCII
> etc
> > > > just never got into or like the mode. and not seeking any awards so
> no
> > > need
> > > > here. But I used to work all the VHF contest thru and thu spent
> many a
> > > > contest til the wee hours of each morning working and sending in my
> > logs.
> > > > Have not done that last 5-6 yrs simply because I no longer put the
> > effort
> > > > in because every one is on FT8 or what ever other digi mode.I did not
> > > even
> > > > turn the rig on this contest. had no desire to even "dole" out
> points.
> > > > I'm seeing and hearing a lot more guys saying the same thing,
> but
> > do
> > > > not hear them on ssb or cw when the contest come around? so! unless
> > they
> > > > get off the computer and on the rigs it will remain the same or get
> > even
> > > > worse. Sad to see the empty air waves on ssb and cw. anytime not just
> > > > contesting. I monitor 50.125 all the time and have only heard one guy
> > on
> > > > and worked him in almost two months! And the clincher is just about
> > every
> > > > new rig today has 6m into it. ! and no one uses the band . oh well
> Que
> > > sera
> > > > sera.de EllisWA1RKS
> > > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > > NEWSVHF mailing list
> > > > Home:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnewsvhf&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464374120%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Zze58vZR%2FczZKmjveFfvpu%2FN7rvkYYBzQ6tIeMXbWs0%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/newsvhf>
> > > > Help:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmmfaq.htm&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464385127%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2gkercaZvRM1LsAmGp9qL%2FVtR26TZu79ZOm275EAZMc%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> > > > Post: mailto:NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net <NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net>
> > > >
> > > > This list hosted by:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464389366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EyWmMVorwkRk8eY3qoo928XfbuBwwEREfvwpG%2FB%2B%2F1M%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/>
> > > > Please help support this email list:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2Fdonate.html&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464392251%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=B%2BPZqag2I%2Fo0go9W3dVISbk4hZxP0Wemaa4zpdA0Km4%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > NEWSVHF mailing list
> > > Home:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnewsvhf&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464394946%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iAy5okH2e%2Fdns5%2BNyfIDPX3bhyIZf1RAlQbBQSQy3ac%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/newsvhf>
> > > Help:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmmfaq.htm&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464397649%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=q%2BKvRselnmpAxYwKDy6577q74VNMYfdgxP%2BaQtzk%2B8Q%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> > > Post: mailto:NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net <NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net>
> > >
> > > This list hosted by:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464400254%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gZxV0dy253UkzGy1z6PXDWYV1NlD6nHphl839zBcRLQ%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/>
> > > Please help support this email list:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2Fdonate.html&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464405014%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9hqZz13Lb%2B2D%2BRSpwbLpvn6ovw4KVx1RXOofBu8NNjc%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > NEWSVHF mailing list
> > Home:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnewsvhf&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464408038%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8YA6FrzCwWcX35qnstvUQL6o56jPWWZASPUBKXKLuso%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/newsvhf>
> > Help:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmmfaq.htm&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464410744%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KP5Pk5%2BnoQnYomgxfFd6di%2FCAcPAMwlNG36dYATDXd8%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> > Post: mailto:NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net <NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net>
> >
> > This list hosted by:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464414183%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FXyGstfTi3yeAyiDIVNVEiwHfjVMyyioaD7nyj8iluc%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/>
> > Please help support this email list:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2Fdonate.html&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464416957%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78GghnjAp0mNyiSJCs2NrmdQY4DSjPBMqv94xfC5AX0%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
> ______________________________________________________________
> NEWSVHF mailing list
> Home:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fnewsvhf&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464419647%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vutq3N7aqmU0u62rKlohnaZgbXoF64SulpfAk3J1oEw%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/newsvhf>
> Help:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmailman.qth.net%2Fmmfaq.htm&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464422361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4l1jZ107dn8wu67DIMrCPM3oITEEWxv3%2FV%2FtXAU98Bg%3D&reserved=0
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net <NEWSVHF@mailman.qth.net>
>
> This list hosted by:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464426490%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IzykkSKKLiCEbjqfHiktPrQ%2FdvALarWXJ%2BD5BWk6oBE%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/>
> Please help support this email list:
> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.qsl.net%2Fdonate.html&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbafd0804d82f433a6e2b08dcd72c1099%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638621831464430513%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=G3qBQUDPI5vZCQSWk481pTfxBhdfzLrufbd%2FV6jE1XU%3D&reserved=0
> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Packrats mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/packrats (subscribe, change
> email, unsubscribe, etc...)
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Packrats@mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to bobw2sj@gmail.com
>
_______________________________________________
VHFcontesting mailing list
VHFcontesting@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
|