FT8 may not have ruined VHF contesting for everyone, but it appears it has
for me. I generally operate as a Single-Op (QRP) Portable in the VHF+
contests. At this time it is not practical for me to take along a computer
when I operate portable. My laptop draws way too much current, and I am
trying to conserve battery power for the transverters. I log on paper and
then transfer to the computer later when I get home. I've been doing this
for 20 years. I cannot spend a lot of money on newer computer equipment or
upgrades. I have working VHF+ equipment for all bands 50 MHz through 47
GHz. My money, time and effort lately has been for existing station
improvements (I'm building new preamps for 2304, 3456 and 10368 MHz).
My operation in the January VHF contest last year was dismal and
disappointing. I only made 13 QSO's across the bands. There was a lot of
activity on FT8 frequencies but I have no idea who it was. Many of those
signals were well over S7 at my location. With signals that strong, why not
use CW or SSB?
I guess it's no great loss to anyone else if I fade away from some of these
contests (like the January contest). It's no fun to spend an hour in the
freezing cold setting up antennas for 9 or 10 bands, only getting a dozen
QSO's, and then having to take it all down in the freezing cold.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Fri, Jan 14, 2022 at 9:08 AM <chetsubaccount@snet.net> wrote:
> Hello fellow contesters,
>
> Some recent threads here and elsewhere about FT8 have prompted me to
> express
> my alternate view.
>
> I agree with the summary statement that FT8 has presented VHF contesters a
> complex problem.
>
> What I do not agree with is that FT8 has ruined VHF contesting. The most
> vocal about its demise seem to be the big mega MM stations. I understand
> the
> angst; they have put in a huge effort over the decades to optimize their
> station capability and team and now it doesn't work the same anymore. The
> old ways have been challenged. But that beautiful 4-1000A 6M amplifier and
> plate modulator had to sadly be replaced too.
>
> For a station like mine that runs low power, the changes are exciting. In
> the past, from here in CT, I could hear a distant big operation like K8GP,
> AA4ZZ, or W3SO long before they could hear me, if at all. But using FT8 I
> have that extra 15-20 dB of help and now I will likely get that grid.
>
> For many years I've maintained my own VHF call history file to use with my
> logging program. When I started trying FT8 a couple of years ago, it was
> striking how many local stations I'd work that were NOT in that history
> file. That means a LOT more (new?) amateurs are getting on for the contest.
>
> For any mode, to do well you still need a good station and antenna system.
> Make that a never-ending part of your effort. As an avid contester and not
> a
> DXer, over the years I've put-up multiple antennas and switching systems to
> provide wide azimuthal coverage. Other improvements are still being
> pondered. Consider this: A 5 element yagi has a 3dB beamwidth of 54
> degrees. On FT8 the equivalent MDS azimuth coverage is now 128 deg.
> Remarkable! This wider coverage and increased boresight range makes many
> more contacts possible. If you want to fare better, adapt, and keep
> improving.
>
> Does FT8 take over for the operator? It could, if someone chooses to watch
> the New England Patriots get whomped and just click a mouse now and again.
> But an avid contest op will watch the decode screen every cycle, notice how
> strong stations are (for clues when to go to ssb or cw), note who is new,
> scan for a new mult, make decisions what antenna to select right now and
> next, decide if the current qso really is complete, etc. An avid op will
> acquire a feel from experience for what part of the day to try beaming
> north, or to go on SSB for a while.
>
> Want more challenge? Reconfigure your station to allow having one session
> going on 6M and another on 2M at the same time. That will get the little
> grey cells going to do it and in learning SO2R think. How does using real
> time texting to "arrange" a contact do that?
>
> A traditionalist may suggest penalizing the use of digital modes thru rules
> revisions. Hmmm. so the amateur that puts in thought and maybe a lot of
> resource into trying and maybe even adding EME capability (as many MM
> stations have done) to try to work more multipliers should be shown the
> door
> now? I thought the point of contesting was to encourage technical learning
> and skills, not discouraging it. It is our own choice to use or not use
> EME,
> or FT8, or spectrum windows, chat rooms, rover circling, remote radio, or
> other new ideas, but should not discourage those that are trying them. Find
> your own personal comfort zone and enjoy your operation.
>
> 73, and keep on growing,
> Chet, N8RA
>
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>
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