I operate portable in VHF contests with battery power, and my laptop draws
too much current and wears my batteries down fast. So I haven't been taking
it along. I log on paper. I have been working with a Raspberry Pi to work
FT8 with my FT857D transceiver in VHF contests. I haven't tried working
anyone with it yet, but it appears that it should work. It draws far less
current than the laptop and is a lot smaller.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 12:54 PM Bob Fischer <bobw2sj@gmail.com> 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 EllisWA1RKS
> > > > > ______________________________________________________________
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