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Re: [VHFcontesting] Digital mode planning and setup for this VHFcontest

To: "James French" <w8iss@wideopenwest.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Digital mode planning and setup for this VHFcontest season
From: "Bill W5WVO" <w5wvo@cybermesa.net>
Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 19:02:24 -0600
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Hi James,

There is no "preferred mode other than WSJT" on VHF. The WSJT modes are used 
pretty much exclusively above 50 MHz. There is a nominal PSK31 calling 
frequency 
on 6 meters (50.290 MHz), but it is not used for that mode during contests 
because few if any people are going to be running PSK31 during a contest. 
People 
tend to gravitate to modes that will provide them with the most contacts in the 
shortest amount of time, and the WSJT modes are optimized for VHF 
communications.

For meteor scatter on 6 meters, the calling frequency is 50.260, the mode 
FSK441. For 2 meters, the calling frequency is 144.140 MHz, again FSK441. If 6 
meters is open to Es, there may be some JT6M activity around 50.260, but since 
you can make Es contacts much faster on SSB than on JT6M, the vast majority of 
stations will NOT be using digital modes when the band is open. WSJT meteor 
scatter is the backup mode of choice when the band is NOT open, typically early 
in the AM when meteors are plentiful and in the wee hours of the night. The 
large majority of such contacts are scheduled in advance of the contest period.

Hope this helps.

Bill W5WVO


James French wrote:
> OK, everyone. I will change the topic slightly here and hopefully
> break this thread about Gene's comments....:)
>
> First, I would like to know what frequencies are monitored for ANY
> digital mode contact during the contests?
>
> Second, what is the preferred mode other than using WSJT - JT6, PSK31,
> 64, Throb? HAS anyone tried these other digital modes with any
> success?
>
> The reason I ask the second question is that I have timing issues with
> the computers I have and can't keep them cinched enough for WSJT..:(
> (and DON'T tell me to go get another computer unless you want to GIVE
> me a newer one)
>
> W8PGW is only a modest contest station that does pretty good for what
> we have to use. I would like to add more digital modes as we can and
> have tried to schedule slots for these modes without much luck so
> far. We have heard a few stations - K8GP and a couple of others last
> year. Even received that station doing EME last year. But no luck in
> making that return path for any of them...:( Maybe this will be the
> year of the Digital contest!!!!!
>
> If we start EARLY enough, we can ALL make those extra contacts and NOT
> grip...<L>
>
> Any suggestions and or pointers would be appreciated.
>
> James W8ISS
> Late night/Early morning operator for contest station W8PGW
>
>
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> VHFcontesting@contesting.com
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