Folks, what we need to do is experiment with these scoring ideas in the
sprints. That's what they are, proving grounds. This is a great dialog
and I'm sure the committee is taking this into account.
73,
Phil K3TUF
On 9/17/2024 1:17 PM, Bob Fischer wrote:
My view is that the digital modes have added more tools to our
contesting tool box. A good mechanic knows what tools to grab from the
tool box for a certain job. A good mechanic will never try to use one
tool to do every job. I know some say "the world was built with a pair
of vice grip pliers and a roll of duct tape", but I see no hope for
them :-)
I start VHF & Up contests on SSB for quick easy contacts. When all the
workable stations seem gone, switching to CW will get some more
stations that could not be worked on SSB. After that I go to FT8 for
more contacts. At this point I don't just call CQ and let it
automatically happen because that becomes boring. I scan the stations
calling CQ for new grids, and call them first. If I see a new grid at
-30 on the screen, I do a quick QRZ check for an accurate beam heading
and most of the time work that station. Now that's fun and not boring!
At some time after working all the new grids I can find, I will then
just call CQ and work all the "locals" in close grids who mostly only
work FT8 and no other modes. When all other options fail, I go to the
ON4KST Region 2 Chat (another tool in the box) to see what stations
are not in my log. If you tend to be a "stick in the mud" and believe
that violates "the spirit of the contest" even though most sponsors
allow it, you will be missing some contacts and grid multipliers in
your log at the end of the contest.
Don't forget to go back to the SSB/CW/ and FM modes regularly to see
if the football game, picnic, calls from the XYL for help, etc are
over and a whole new pool of contacts are available. When they run out
again, go back to digital.
In closing, I believe the digital modes will not cause the "end of
VHF+ contesting as we know it". If we all open our eyes and spend as
much time thinking about how to best use all the available tools we
have. Rather than being frustrated, we can still enjoy the hobby
we all share for years to come.
Respectfully submitted es 73,
Bob W2SJ
On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:26 AM Rick R <rick1ds@hotmail.com> wrote:
Here's a thought—Even hours analog, Odd hours digital
Or perhaps having an analog-only contest and a digital-only
contest as has been suggested many times. Rick K1DS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* newsvhf-bounces@mailman.qth.net
<newsvhf-bounces@mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Paul Bourque
<pbourque@gmail.com>
*Sent:* Tuesday, September 17, 2024 11:18 AM
*To:* k1ep@arrl.net <k1ep@arrl.net>
*Cc:* Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com>; News group mailing
list <newsvhf@mailman.qth.net>
*Subject:* Re: [NEWSVHF] Dave and Fred and all
A couple of years ago, I posted in Contest Update and recommended that
stations call CQ and look for CW/SSB QSOs at the top and bottom of
each
hour. Of course, what really helps here is that some of the bigger gun
stations get on and call CQ. Maybe we should make this a thing-
similar to
how K1WHS is helping bring back life to 222. But we need to get more
stations on board for this to work. I'm not anti digital modes, but I
really find it more enjoyable to work stations on phone (working
on my CW
skills, but not anywhere near ready for prime time with that.)
This past contest, I was focussed on 6 meters because I'm so close to
getting my VUCC on 6 and that was my goal for this contest. I only
heard
one station calling CQ on SSB (W2EA), which I had already worked.
The CQs
from my little gun station went unanswered. But I tried- I didn't
make a
single contact on SSB as my time was being wasted sitting there
calling CQ
to an empty band. BTW- my goal for getting closer to VUCC was
successful-
I'm sitting at 99 confirmed grids right now- and hoping that a
couple of
stations that I worked confirm for my 100th grid.
In June, I roved to 3 sites in FN31, FN32 and FN42- (SSB/FM only).
When I
was in FN32- basically in W2SZs backyard, I was expecting to hear
them on
all three bands I had (6, 2, 432)- but they were suspiciously
absent from
SSB and FM. I did catch them calling CQ on 446.0 when I was
driving down
the hill from my FN42 location. I thought for sure I'd hear them
on phone
being so close to them. In years past, W2SZ was my "beacon" during
contests- it was a sure bet that I'd get them in the log every
contest.
I'm really looking forward to any suggestions on how we can
breathe some
life back into CW and voice (SSB, FM, AM..) during the VHF contests.
73,
-Paul N1SFE
On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 10:23 AM Ed Parish <k1ep.list@gmail.com>
wrote:
> If all of us abandon CW and SSB, then everyone will be on FT8.
We still
> need to call CQ on CW and SSB and make some activity there. It was
> disheartening at tines to tune from 50.125 to 50.200 and not
hear a single
> SSB signal during the contest.
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 09:44 Terry Price <terry@directivesystems.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I don't "care" for digital modes either but I have worked
folks on FT8
> that
> > I could not work on cw so it does have it's place. As a
contester, you
> have
> > to go where the activity is, do I wish there was more cw/SSB,
heck yes
> but
> > it is what it is.
> >
> > ANY VHF & up activity is welcome, hell I'll work you on FM or
AM if
> > necessary !!!
> >
> > Terry Price - W8ZN
> > Directive Systems and Engineering
> > 703-754-3876
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 8:50 AM Ellis Foley via NEWSVHF <
> > newsvhf@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I agree whole heartedly with you Dave and Fred, I do not
work FT8, just
> > > not a digital guy in that respect. tried lots of things
Rtty, ASCII etc
> > > just never got into or like the mode. and not seeking any
awards so no
> > need
> > > here. But I used to work all the VHF contest thru and thu
spent many a
> > > contest til the wee hours of each morning working and
sending in my
> logs.
> > > Have not done that last 5-6 yrs simply because I no longer
put the
> effort
> > > in because every one is on FT8 or what ever other digi
mode.I did not
> > even
> > > turn the rig on this contest. had no desire to even "dole"
out points.
> > > I'm seeing and hearing a lot more guys saying the same
thing, but
> do
> > > not hear them on ssb or cw when the contest come around? so!
unless
> they
> > > get off the computer and on the rigs it will remain the same
or get
> even
> > > worse. Sad to see the empty air waves on ssb and cw. anytime
not just
> > > contesting. I monitor 50.125 all the time and have only
heard one guy
> on
> > > and worked him in almost two months! And the clincher is
just about
> every
> > > new rig today has 6m into it. ! and no one uses the band .
oh well Que
> > sera
> > > sera.de <http://sera.de> EllisWA1RKS
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