Alex,
I understand what you are saying. I still don't necessarily agree
with self-spotting and will not spot myself. If others want to do
so, that is fine. Come to think of it, I don't use packet spots when
I operate. Additionally, I operate QRP CW. I would much rather see a
QSO points based on distance, in order to even the playing field.
BTW, I will be shooting my Moxon and small 2 meter yagi down your
way. So hope to hear you this weekend.
73,
--
Jeff Embry, K3OQ
FM19je
ARCI #11643
FPQRP #-696
NAQCC #25
AMSAT LM-2263
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, however a large
number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
On 7/15/05, Alex <extraham@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi Jeff,
>
> > And
> > truth be told, is it really needed on 6 and 2 meters?
>
> I can understand you wonder about that. You are in FM19.
>
> But imagine yourself in a different grid, say EM92 for instance. :) Operating
> a contest in a flat area where some portions are even below sea level and
> with no band openings to speak off, a VHF/UHF contest becomes rather
> pointless. You work a few locals and maybe 1 or two station over 100 miles
> away and that's about it. I love contesting, but this is downright boring. I
> can imagine that there are many areas like that in the U.S.
>
> It would be nice if we could get some help from the contest sponsors to
> increase activity on VHF/UHF. The fact that we're nearing the bottom of the
> sunspot cycle could be taken as an opportunity to try to interest folks in
> VHF/UHF weak signal work as an alternative for when their favorite HF bands
> have crapped out. They may already have the necessary equipment (HF/VHF/UHF
> rigs) but just need a reason to put up an antenna. Contests might help
> provide for that reason (in terms of activity).
>
> If contest sponsors would allow for self spotting, we'd have an extra tool to
> increase activity. Our signals from down here are not going to produce
> stellar S meter reading on the back of the beams of station over 50 miles
> away. Chances are that they'll not even notice us. We need something that
> might persuade a station to swing their beams around towards us. I think that
> self spotting could help us here.
>
> Serious contest stations aim their beams in the direction of the highest
> anticipated activity or where they suspect or know where rovers are. Sure
> they'll swing their beams around in a lull of the contest (which will
> probably coincide with a low activity in the low density areas), but it's a
> huge crap shoot. It's also labor also intensive with low yield (think
> motivation). You have a better chance of running your keyer on a frequency
> aiming your beam to a high density area and make a contact with a lot less
> effort. I can't blame them.
>
> Packet spots create activity. That's why we have that tool. Let's use that
> tool to its full potential. Like we have a 10 minute rule in some contest,
> one could think of 15 minute self spotting rule. You're allowed to spot
> yourself once ever 15 minutes. Or maybe once per new CQ frequency. I'm sure
> we could come up with something if we're willing.
>
> I'll be on the air during the contest. Not as a competitor but as an
> experimenter.
>
> 73,
> --Alex KR1ST
> http://www.kr1st.com
>
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>
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