My own experience is mixed about your question. No clear answer.
Being a relative newbie, I've inched my way into WSJT MS contacts during
contests.
The skeds often work out, but contacts usually take a lot of time,
especially on 2M.
I've made random contacts by calling CQ on the calling freq. Some contests
I've gotten answers. Other contests nada.
Is it worth it?
For score, maybe not. I have sometimes made a random contact on 2M this way.
But it takes a lot of time being up late at night or early AM. The time
might have been better spent sleeping, or working early morning tropo. How
many Q's will a new mult equal?
For satisfaction, yes! To me there is something awesome about bringing up
the map of grid squares already worked- and seeing the cluster of worked
squares right around your own, but also those few waaaaaay out there.
Especially on 2M. On 6M though, if the E's come in, even weak ones, then
you'll likely work those grids there too.
So again, it is a tradeoff. Definitely works for the multiops who have
someone to do it all night. For the SO, dunno.
Doing it mobile? I would tend to doubt it. Most contacts here are made with
pings only a few dB above the noise, sometimes below it. Station here is
200w with stacked yagis. Seem to me that a mobile could not do it. Maybe
K1LF will speak to this, since I believe he has indoor attic antennas and
makes WSJT contacts.
73,
Chet, N8RA, FN31
-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of James Duffey
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:39 AM
To: VHF Contesting Reflector
Cc: James Duffey
Subject: [VHFcontesting] WSJT for random contacts in contests?
Does anyone have experience using WSJT to make random contacts in VHF/UHF
contacts? That is, calling CQ on a specific frequency without skeds and
making contacts? Do you work enough additional contacts and grids to make it
worthwhile?
Can anyone relate their WSJT experiences while mobile? Is it possible to
make contacts while in motion? I rove in the contests and thought it might
be productive to try to make a few WSJT contacts while underway from one
grid to another. I can put out a reasonable amount of effective radiated
power on 6M, 2M and 1.35M, so I am not sure that is a problem. In the
September contest I ran a Moxon for 6M, a 6 element WA5VJB for 2M and a 6
element WA5VJB on 222 MHz. With 100 Watts to these antennas I think that
there is enough oomph to make some WSJT contacts, but does anyone have
experience actually doing this?
If there is no propagation, which there usually isn't in September or
January, the bands can get lonely out here. I am looking for a way to
increase my score. My experience is that with my setup, 3000 points is about
all I can do without some way to extend the range. - Duffey
--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM
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