--- Ev Tupis <w2ev@yahoo.com> wrote:
> A QRO VHF contesters' "sphere of communication" is less
> than that of even a QRP HF contester. There are simply
> fewer possible VHF targets to log.
Yes, this *is* the fundamental difference between HF and VHF
contesting. So shouldn't the skill of making yourself heard
(directly) and the skill of finding the others (directly) not
be a major focus of VHF contesting's purpose? And what about
DX Q's vs. piles of short haul ones?
Frankly it is this challenge of finding the stations all by
myself using the best station that I can afford to put
together is what I like about VHF contesting. I really have
no interest in being told via packet or the Internet where
the other stations curently are, I really do want to find
them myself. While many HF contesters get bored with 5-6 Q's
an hour run rates I don't. Personally I could never get fired
up about trying to maintain/sustain high Q/hr rates for hours
at a time, so I rarely contest on HF.
> As a result...
> 1. Vintage VHF contesters love CW (it extends range, to
> include more targets)
This debate has absolutely nothing to do with CW vs. SSB vs.
WSJT, it is about the appropriateness of assistance in the
form of spotting and/or real-time scheduling using outside of
the contest [frequencies] means.
> 2. Millennial VHF contesters love WSJT (it does the same,
> but without the need to know CW)
I would think that most ops don't have any problems with WSJT
at all in and of itself (I certainly don't). It is in reality
just another mode. However if those Q's are being put
together by real-time schedule coordination then we are back
to the crux of this whole debate.
> 3. VHFers are constantly attempting to find new ways to
> solicit more targets through the use of other technologies
> (as a support of the core contest operation, not a
> replacement of it).
But the pitfall is that new technologies that include
spotting networks in any form may very well decrease
participation by those who have no desire or ability to use
them. And I also firmly do believe that it will demotivate
CQ'ing, antenna sweeping, and the contest participants desire
to learn about the subtleties of VHF/UHF propagation.
So is the *ends* of "making the Q" of such a high priority
that the "means" [of finding them to work] is no longer
important? Sounds kinda like grid circling to me.
So the real question really comes down to is "what is the
point of VHF contesting"? And what operator skill is it
trying to measure?
1. Is it *just* the ability rack up Q counts, and the
operator's skills to *find* them to work are irrelevant?
2. Or does it also include the ops ability to master the
skills of *finding* stations within thier own station's
capabilities and their own operator skills?
> Human beings are social creatures. Ultimately, technology
> and strategy that allows more people to connect with more
> people more easily are those that are adopted.
It's not a question about doing things that are "easier" or
not. It is a really question about what a VHF contest is
really trying to measure.
1. Is it the contest ops ability to master using and building
public networking?
2. Or is it a measure of the ops ability to work the bands
totally unsupported by any means outside of their own shack's
technology compliment and thier own learned skills?
> Where is VHF contesting headed? Many directions. For one
> particularly good insight, read K1JT's soapbox of his
> January VHF SS experience to learn what he had to do in
> order to put more contacts in the log. It had nothing to
> do with picking up a microphone and using his voice to call
> CQ, but it still allowed him to connect with more people.
And as I read it those WSJT EME contacts were randoms too.
So again I say that this debate has nothing to do with WSJT
vs. CW. SSB. And it has nothing to do with using "new
technology" vs. doing it the "old way", - whatever that is.
It does however have everything to do with whether
participants should be allowed to *network* with each other
via other means for Q solicitation purposes. Many, including
myself desire to keep all of the contest time Q related
communications *and* station discovery *completely* contained
within their own station's capabilites that cover the
frequencies and modes being used *within* the contest.
Duane
N9DG
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