Here is my 3-1/2¢ on using analog and digital modes for the ARRL VHF
contests.
There is an easy solution. Just read on ===
First, it is not just about FT8. Some operators use other digital modes as
well. This past weekend?s contest I logged CW, SSB, FT8, MSK, Q65 and
JT65 contacts.
Separating the contest for either analog or digital format is dumb. There
are already too many things going on in life to worry about dedicating
another weekend for contesting. Splitting the same weekend into slots for
analog and digital is a bad idea. Which format gets the morning tropo time
slot? What format gets the daytime Sporadic E? Does MSK144 for meteor
scatter get assigned to the mornings, evenings, night, or afternoon? What
about those like myself that add multipliers using digital modes to work
EME? Do we get to use digital when the moon is available at our location?
Over the past 3 to 4 years there has been much discussion on this subject
and the one significant point made is Analog operators (SSB & CW) will not
work digital stations. In most cases the analog stations don?t even own
digital equipment or software. However, whether they choose to or not,
Digital operators have the ability and many do work ?Mixed Mode?, both
digital and analog.
Considering this, the most logical thing to do is change the rules for
scoring and operating categories. Keep the current operating categories
including ?Analog Only?. Then, add a new ?Digital Only? category. Create a
points incentive for analog contacts. As an example, use the current point
values for digital modes, then add 1 point to those values for each analog
contact. A 144MHz now 1 point, will be 2 points if an analog contact is
made, a 222MHz contact is now 2 points and will be 3 if it is for an analog
contact. This provides an incentive for ?Mixed Mode? stations to seek out
and work analog contacts. Still permit only one valid contact per band with
any station. If a station is previously worked digital and then is later
worked analog, allow the higher point analog contact, letting the previous
logged digital contact to become the ?DUPE?. ?Digital Only? are competing
with other ?Digital Only? even if they work a ?Mixed Mode? station. It?s
the same for ?Analog Only? stations. There is no downside to this method
of scoring.
Yes, I know the logging software will need to be revised. But that?s got
nothing to do with making everybody happy and increasing activity.
FWIW ? I have been VHF contesting since 1980
Dave - K3SK - FM07
_______________________________________________
VHFcontesting mailing list
VHFcontesting@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
|