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Re: [VHFcontesting] [NEWSVHF] [Packrats] Contest suggestion

To: Philip Theis <phil@k3tuf.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] [NEWSVHF] [Packrats] Contest suggestion
From: Paul Bourque <pbourque@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:13:32 -0400
List-post: <mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Hi Phil,

I was talking with Bart, W9JJ about this today and he suggested that the
sprints might be a great way to test any changes.
The dialog we have going on here is really good- there are lots of great
ideas being presented. Believe me, we are paying attention here at HQ.

73,
Paul N1SFE

On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 7:59 PM Philip Theis <phil@k3tuf.com> wrote:

> 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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