Now, I really don't care about winning anything...In Arizona VHF contests the
only thing we can win is, well, Arizona. Maybe these new ideas will change
something for the better in the large metropolitan areas where everyone has a
computer or a phone with access to the internet, but out in the remote rural
areas of the West, it won't change much.
I operate VHF contests as a Multi-Op Portable from Mountain Top locations in
Arizona. I have been operating contest portable since the late 1960's here in
Arizona.
My perspective, from a contester who only operates from portable/mountain top
remote locations in contests, is that I believe this will put portable stations
at an additional scoring disadvantage in VHF contests. We already have to deal
with the terrain, the rain/heat/snow/wind, the bugs, the dirt, the complete
station set-up/tear down, and the station restrictions that generators and
battery power already place on us. Trying to match, to create, a "spotting
network" in the field like the one home stations will have is just not an
option for a portable/mobile station with no internet coverage. Home stations
will "clean our clock" even more than they already do. I suspect that Single
operator home QTH scores will go up and portable operator scores will remain
pretty much the same. Every contest many single operator at-home stations
outscore us already. Even low power ones. These changes will not improve that
situation. For every "new" contact we make under the new rules the ho
me stations will work two (or more) stations. They can see spots...we can't.
They can make spots...we can't.
Neal, K4EA, hit it on the head... "If quality of station, operating skill and
knowledge of propagation are not enough then why do we contest!!!!"
Indeed.
Surely we want to continue making "operating skill" the centerpiece of
contesting." Is not the "thrill of the Hunt" a big part of contesting? If not,
why not just let unattended computerized stations operate the contests while we
all go drink some beer? We can check to see if we "won" when the Pub closes.
Pete, WA7JTM
-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
vhfcontesting-request@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 10:00 AM
To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 143, Issue 7
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Input on Initial VHF-UHF-Microwave Contest RuleChanges
(Ron Rogers)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:51:20 -0500
From: "Ron Rogers" <ww8rr@charter.net>
To: "'Les Rayburn'" <les@highnoonfilm.com>, <vhf-input@arrl.org>,
"'VHF Contesting Reflector'" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>,
<vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Input on Initial VHF-UHF-Microwave
Contest RuleChanges
Message-ID: <F3rL1p00L130PBL013rMYK@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Neal is having e-mails rejected from the VHF-Contesting reflector so at his
request I am forwarding his comments >>
Again?!!!
The base issue here is one that has been hashed and rehashed over the decades,
long before the internet. The crux of the matter is still how to equalize (or
perhaps nullify) the advantages of the northeast stations.
When the multipliers were changed from sections to grid squares it was believed
the equalizing of multiplier density would make the difference. It did not.
While serving on the CAC in the 80's the discussion and hence proposals, was to
go to a distance based scoring system. This was rejected time and again
because of the complexity in scoring. It was argued, to no avail, that grid
squares made it practical. It was argued again that computer software for
contesting would made distance scoring trivial but countered that not everybody
could afford or had computers.
While I agree that rules need to be updated with technology, the premise that
only Amateur forms of communication be utilized remains critical in my opinion.
The use of packet cluster spotting was initial done through nodes that
communicated on ham frequencies and I argued that this was acceptable.
It can be argued that since this is now all done via internet it should be
excluded. However, I believe that since all the nodes are setup and maintained
by hams and used explicitly for spotting of other ham stations an exception can
be justified. All other forms of communication (i.e.
telephone, cell phone, email) for the purpose of soliciting or coordinating
contacts during the contest must not be allowed. MW contacts can and should be
coordinated on lower bands. Self-spotting is tantamount to solicitation for
contacts (CQing) by non-amateur means and are not intended to "make a contact"
via the cluster. This should never be allowed in any contest.
The only valid solicitation (CQing) must remain on the bands where response is
expected to culminate in a valid contact.
One more point:
"Unlike most HF contests, operating skill and knowledge of propagation may not
be enough to find stations to work. You can't just point your antenna to Europe
or Asia at the right time and find a ready supply of potential contacts. The
less predictable nature of VHF+ propagation and the necessarily higher-gain,
narrow-beamwidth antennas used make finding someone to work largely a matter of
chance."
If quality of station, operating skill and knowledge of propagation are not
enough then why do we contest!!!! isn't that what is all about? True, VHF
contesting uses a different skill set. It is not just a matter of chance That
is why I contest from 160M to nm wavelengths.
Neal, K4EA
-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
Les Rayburn
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 9:20 AM
To: vhf-input@arrl.org; VHF Contesting Reflector; vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Input on Initial VHF-UHF-Microwave Contest RuleChanges
I'm nothing short of amazed at the forward-thinking, leadership, and
courage displayed by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and the American Radio
Relay League. As many VHF operators have long-predicted, I honestly feel
that this change in the rules will have no effect whatsoever on the
callsigns that grace the winners circle--but I do believe that the total
number of contacts will greatly increase.
Over time, increased enjoyment, ease in making contacts, and less time
spent "listening to white noise" will attract more casual operators to
these contests, and hopefully help to revitalize weak signal operations
on the VHF Bands.
I'd also like for the Committee to consider the creation of a Five Band
VUCC Award (5BVUCC). An award of this nature would recognize the
achievement of earning VUCC on five or more bands, including satellites.
As a further incentive, I would recommend the creation of an "Inaugural
Five Band VUCC Award" that could only be earned in the first 365 days
that the award goes into effect. Rather than awarding lifetime
achievements as the 5BVUCC Award would do, the Inaugural Award would
start all VHF operators back at zero and give everyone a chance to earn
VUCC on five bands in the first year of the award, thus earning this
special edition of the parent award, perhaps in the form of a plaque or
trophy.
I believe that such an award would help to inspire grid expeditions to
less active grids, and encourage more activity especially on the
microwave bands.
Regardless of the Committee's views on a 5 Band VUCC, I really must
congratulate you on the bold proposal that is already before us. While
some may object to it, the wisdom of the decision will be fondly
remembered in the years to come. Bravo Zulu!
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
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