Nope, I think you're doing it right. When both bands were running I was
busy with all the things you mentioned - and the same concerns. When when
I was off on FM or SSB trying to scrounge up some local contacts, it was
nice to have it listening on 6m in case a grid I didn't have popped up or
evidence of a band opening (which never occurred in Northern Ohio) on 6.
The reality is, regardless of what the curmudgeons say, anything that
you're doing to get contacts in the log book isn't doing it wrong. And if
there's a bunch of people on digital, you have to adapt and make it part of
your strategy. I think FT8 is a terrible mode for contesting - the rate
sucks - but if it's the only way to make the contact, then so be it. If
there's stations on phone or CW, all the better.
On Wed, Jan 20, 2021 at 10:53 AM <chetsubaccount@snet.net> wrote:
> I must be doing something wrong.
>
> FT8 is supposed to be dull, the computer does all the work and shovels
> contacts into your log while you eat donuts with coffee.
>
> When I am using FT8, I have both 6M and 2M going on it using more than one
> antenna on each band. I am continuously looking from window to window to
> see
> what is coming in from where, and if I want/need it then switch to or
> rotate
> an antenna that will favor my chances of logging that QSO without screwing
> up the other band. Check what grids are needed and move an antenna that way
> to occasionally favor that direction. Look at telnet spots. Try the other
> sequence. Are 6M E's now strong? Time to switch to SSB or CW? Are you sure
> the other station heard your RR73? If not take back manual control of the
> TX
> message and send that a few more times. Don't click "log it" yet. Decide
> when to give up, clear the messages, and restart a CQ. Yell at the screen.
> Constantly on the go. An hour or two of doing this takes much more energy
> than being on USB eating donuts with coffee while pushing the F1 key to
> send
> your CQ message.
>
> I must be doing something wrong.but having a lot of fun.
>
> 73,
> Chet, N8RA
>
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