So the guy with the best internet connection has a big advantage. I do not
have any internet in my shack at this time, so that would now be a problem
for me. EME contests are now pretty crazy. If you are not connected to a
high speed internet connection and a chat page, you might just as well go
watch TV or try bungee jumping. I tried digital EME in an EME contest and
only worked K1JT. He had MAP65 running and his computer deciphered my call
right away as soon as I called CQ. I worked K1JT and then I proceeded to
call CQ and tail end other stations I heard, but never made any contacts in
the hour or so of good moontime near my moonset. I could hear my echo just
fine. Because K1JT did not post my frequency and call, I did not exist. I
think as computer technology makes more things possible, we will run into
even more difficult operating dilemmas. MAP65 and the HF skimmers have
turned many things upside down.
I really believe that VHF and HF are different animals, BUT, I also
think that using internet assistance should put you in at least a different
category than someone who does not use it. I also think that internet chat
pages and propagation pages are detrimental to some aspects of VHF. We
should be on the bands, checking the conditions and making noise. Too many
of us (myself included) now are guilty of monitoring DX clusters and APRS
and Hepburn maps only, rather than producing activity by actually being on
the air! No activity means no influx of new VHFers. No new VHFers means that
our scores will continue to drop in each VHF contest. It has gotten so bad
here in Maine, that I put together a 160 and 10 meter station recently so I
could make a few contacts! I was starting to forget what radio signals
sounded like. Rather than argue about assistance vs non-assistance, we
should be trying to build activity so that we can make many contacts all on
our own. KA1ZE started a "205 Morning Group" from Western PA, that was and
still is a shot in the arm for activity on 144 MHz. Every morning there is
a group that gets on looking for DX, and everyone knows that it is possible
to work someone on 2 meter SSB then. We need to build upon that. This
morning I heard activity from Nova Scotia to North Carolina and Ohio to
Ontario & Quebec. That activity begat more activity on 222, 432, 1296 and
2304. It sure beats watching a computer monitor for propagation hints.
Dave K1WHS
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 9:56 AM
To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 129, Issue 26
George,
Great post, i thought i was loosing mind reading this stuff about
announcements etc., where you post your grid, call , etc are you kidding
me!!?? Where is the operating ability and skill to pull that out of a
contact!
I uses to send my grid during a VHF CQ but i dont so that anymore either
just because it takes away skill of trying to work and copy stations.
I am like you lets operate radio and work contacts the right way
73 Todd WD0T
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