I respectfully disagree, Rick.
Yes, some of the Multis will have less QSOs due to people aging out or
putting up smaller stations. Other than that, any of the amazing
operations pointed out above are still entirely possible.
Here we are at the peak of the solar cycle and all we are going to do is
work Digital modes on 6m? (You will see 6 SSB and CW explode as we get
into October and the F2 season starts in earnest.)
Maybe it's because we are getting old and lazy. All it takes is
education. Yep, you can work further on Troposcatter or EME on Digital
modes with a minimal station, but at what cost?
In the time it takes to make 4 or 5 QSOs on a Digital mode on 6m, you can
make 10 times as many QSOs on SSB -- same points and more grids.
99% of the Digital QSOs on 144 Mhz could be made on SSB or CW in 1/10th
time time. On high n=microwaves, Digital becomes more important.
We are seeing an enthusiasm gap by the OTs because they don't get as much
thrill out of working Digital modes... but is seems they do nothing to
encourage or educate newcomers on how to do it "the analog way" --- at
least that
is my impression. I may be wrong.
I don't think it is about rules. It's about Elmering the newbies on what
is possible. Digital is of course in the mix.
It is in our hands to change the course of how we operate. Mandating a
particular operating pattern by changing rules ALWAYS has unintended
consequences.
All that said, I don't think the picture is as bleak as you say.
73,
Gerry W1VE
On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 9:33 AM Rick R <rick1ds@hotmail.com> wrote:
> That book was written in the 80’s and it crystallized the effects of
> change and how we need to adapt. No longer will K1WHS have his crew of ops
> for contesting; no longer will W2SZ score 3million points with other
> multi-ops chasing them; no longer will K5TR work 1000 QSOs on 6m; no longer
> will it be easy to run 10 bands with a rover. No longer will K1TEO be
> getting close to the million point mark as a SOHP. Some of us have adapted
> and run remote digital (+/-analog) stations, we can use many ways to alert
> other stations to our signals, we have added screens to see where the
> activity goes, we have computer power to help us log, transmit, copy CW,
> and many forms of digital signals. Newcomers never experienced the decades
> of rapid fire contest QSOs and are content to be digitally focused, while
> others of us bemoan the changes and slowly adapt or just drop out. ARRL has
> allowed means to facilitate contacts and added entry categories to
> accommodate all operating styles—FM, 3-band, analog, etc.
> It’s great to be able to share memories of the past. We all know that our
> cheese has been moved and we’re all learning the new dynamic of VHF
> contesting. 73, Rick K1DS
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>
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