If there is any prop to Europe JT65a and FT4 can get you Qs and grids into DL
land.
and further EAST.
But just a grid collecter not a contester.
Jerry W2JCN FN21
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay RM <w9rm@calmesapartners.com>
To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com <VHFcontesting@contesting.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 30, 2021 4:43 pm
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 217, Issue 56
We don't dislike FT8, Jim. We like it when it's used properly in
contesting. When signals are loud and the FT8 'channel' is overloaded with
activity and there's not a SINGLE signal below 50.300 and it's a CONTEST
weekend, THEN we don't like it, or shouldn't, if one is a serious contester.
Face it, compared to SSB (or CW), FT8 and even FT4 are FAR off the pace.
They are vastly inferior modes (for contest rate) when there is a decent Es
opening.
Remember, this is the VHF CONTESTING reflector, not the general purpose VHF
reflector. Opinions on here should be taken in the context of CONTESTING.
And, for contesting ( when the band is open), SSB rates are proven to be
2,3,4,5X higher then FT8. Of course, that's when there are ops actually
using SSB, which seems to be less likely now.
-W9RM
Keith Morehouse
via MotoG
On Sat, Jan 30, 2021, 2:29 PM Jim via VHFcontesting <
vhfcontesting@contesting.com> wrote:
>
> The world is changing and so is ham radio. Sometimes for the better,
> sometimes not. I enjoy all modes, and I do enjoy FT8. I am mainly a DX'er
> and grid chaser. When working DX the exchange is usually "You're 5by9, 73."
> Contest exchanges are usually "You're 5by9, 73." I rarely have to touch my
> CW paddles- my auto keyer has my call and 5NN 73 programmed into it. FT8
> has the same minimal exchange- I am puzzled as to why so many amateurs
> dislike it. I worked the VHF test for the first time in many years. I
> enjoyed it. 90% of my contacts were on 6M FT8. I think FT8 has boosted
> contest activity. No, it is nothing like the 1980's or 90's, but look at
> the numbers. According to the ARRL, the 2020 VHF contest had 942 logs
> submitted, the most logs turned in for this century(The 21st century).
> Guess what? As of last night, 1178 logs were submitted for the 2021 VHF
> contest. Why the uptick in activity? Is it FT8? Is it the volume of
> IC9700's sold? Nothing better to do while quarantined? We may never know.
> FT8 has had a negative impact on the level on SSB and CW activity, but it
> seems to increased activity overall. Is this really a bad thing? Just my
> humble opinion. 73 de W3ATV.
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:10:19 -0600 (CST)
> From: Marshall Pochay <wd9exd@comcast.net>
> To: "vhfcontesting@contesting.com" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Casual operators on ft8
> Message-ID: <1457764713.375595.1611976220450@connect.xfinity.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hi Terry and everyone, Could someone tell me how these casual operators
> are abusing FT8 enough that we are not supposed to work them? I see a
> casual operator one that probably wont turn a log in but is just out there
> making contacts, They are doing us a favor by being out there, Take Joe
> KV4HV down in EL94, Nice guy, Doesn't contest but has no problem taking a
> phone call from me to remind him there is a vhf contest going on and gets
> on and gives out that grid. And Im not talking about him getting on for a
> few contacts I have seen him on for hours. Sorry, Far as I know he is only
> on ft8 and Im happy to work him there, I usually send out about 10 emails
> before a contest to new (Prior) ft8 contacts I have made inviting them out
> or on for the contest, I try to give them a quick explanation on contest
> mode but I dont really expect them to get it and have no problem working
> them in non contest mode.For years I see complaints about lack of activity,
> Now we have a chance at new contacts
> into new grids and I see a suggestion that a core contest station
> shouldnt work them. Please give me a little more detail on what they are
> doing so wrong that I shouldnt work them? I only run 4 bands from the em57
> qth, I find ft8 way more productive than ssb/cw unless of course 6 is open,
> I did manage to work 7 local stations on 2 fm this january but cant work my
> own em57 grid on 222 (LOL)I am lucky I have a good bunch of rovers running
> the 4 bands and we are covering the 200 to 500 mile range mostly ft8. Yes
> not being able to move operators around with ft8 is a problem we need to
> address, And for that my 222 and 432 scores suffer but honestly for my qth
> I am actually seeing a better RATE on 6 and 2 using ft8. In the old days I
> could call CQ for hours and not get a soul not to mention in bed by 11 and
> back up at 5 or 6 am, Now days thanks to Digital aka FT8 and MSK144 and
> maybe a little covid19, The EM57 station is active the full contest period,
> Yes I have to take a 4 hour nap,
> But thats on me, I cant wait to see what this q65 is about, Thanks 73
> Marshall WD9EXD
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:59:18 -0600 (CST)
> From: Marshall Pochay <wd9exd@comcast.net>
> To: Dan Evans <k9zf@yahoo.com>, Dan Evans via VHFcontesting
> <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Cc: "vhfcontesting@contesting.com" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Where Have All the Multi's Gone?
> Message-ID: <1002478703.382744.1611979158878@connect.xfinity.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>
> Hi Terry and everyone, Could someone tell me how these casual operators
> are abusing FT8 enough that we are not supposed to work them? I see a
> casual operator one that probably wont turn a log in but is just out there
> making contacts, They are doing us a favor by being out there, Take Joe
> KV4HV down in EL94, Nice guy, Doesn't contest but has no problem taking a
> phone call from me to remind him there is a vhf contest going on and gets
> on and gives out that grid. And Im not talking about him getting on for a
> few contacts I have seen him on for hours. Sorry, Far as I know he is only
> on ft8 and Im happy to work him there, I usually send out about 10 emails
> before a contest to new (Prior) ft8 contacts I have made inviting them out
> or on for the contest, I try to give them a quick explanation on contest
> mode but I dont really expect them to get it and have no problem working
> them in non contest mode.For years I see complaints about lack of activity,
> Now we have a chance at new contacts
> into new grids and I see a suggestion that a core contest station shouldnt
> work them. Please give me a little more detail on what they are doing so
> wrong that I shouldnt work them? I only run 4 bands from the em57 qth, I
> find ft8 way more productive than ssb/cw unless of course 6 is open, I did
> manage to work 7 local stations on 2 fm this january but cant work my own
> em57 grid on 222 (LOL)I am lucky I have a good bunch of rovers running the
> 4 bands and we are covering the 200 to 500 mile range mostly ft8. Yes not
> being able to move operators around with ft8 is a problem we need to
> address, And for that my 222 and 432 scores suffer but honestly for my qth
> I am actually seeing a better RATE on 6 and 2 using ft8. In the old days I
> could call CQ for hours and not get a soul not to mention in bed by 11 and
> back up at 5 or 6 am, Now days thanks to Digital aka FT8 and MSK144 and
> maybe a little covid19, The EM57 station is active the full contest period,
> Yes I have to take a 4 hour nap,
> But thats on me, I cant wait to see what this q65 is about, Thanks 73
> Marshall WD9EXD
> > On 01/29/2021 8:12 PM Dan Evans via VHFcontesting <
> vhfcontesting@contesting.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Have to agree with the FT8 issues.? I actually love FT8.? It's great to
> work amazing range with a small station.? But it kills me to work S5
> stations on FT8, after calling CQ on SSB with no takers...? I don't have an
> answer, but if you want to make contacts in this area, you better work
> FT8...
> > I hate to see the decline in multi ops as well.? It always seemed to me
> that the "big guns" with the CQ machines going boosted activity.? I know
> there seemed to be a big decline in this area when the W9ICE group
> disbanded.? Of course, I haven't been very active in the last few years
> either.
> > I'm hoping to make a comeback this year.? Although I may be doing more
> portable "grid expeditions" than actual Rover trips.
> > 73Dan K9ZF /R
> > -- K9ZF? President, Clark County Amateur Radio Club,Amateur Radio
> Emergency Service,?Clark County Indiana.?EM78el?The once and future K9ZF /R
> no budget Rover ?***QRP-l #1269 Check out the Rover Resource Page at:??List
> Administrator for: InHam+grid-loc+ham-books? Ask me how to join the Indiana
> Ham Mailing list!
> >
> > On Friday, January 29, 2021, 01:35:59 PM GMT-5, Dave <
> kdcarlso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Sadly, if we don't resolve the FT8 issue I'm not sure the rover count
> will
> > stay up either.
> > ?clip
> > _______________________________________________
> > VHFcontesting mailing list
> > VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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