I see lots of ideas thrown out here, some of which should be considered and
pushed to the ARRL contest committee. The ARRL contest committee came up
with the Analog Only category thinking it would inspire the analog only
operators to remain active. Well, it didn?t work because I believe it is
only half a solution. Even though they compete with other analog only
stations, there are too few analog only stations active. I live within a
stones throw of at least half a dozen long-time VHF contesters that have
thrown in the towel and just quit operating. The worst is, 3 of them own
multi-mode 222 stations! When I?ve talked with them about getting active,
in every case I was told they had zero intention of operating digital
because there was not enough activity on the analog modes to keep them on
the air. Spending hours calling CQ without a response is not fun. That?s
exactly why I think creating a point incentive for analog (CW & SSB) will
get more of the multi-mode station that hang out on FT8 to take some time
and work the analog modes more often and for longer periods of time.
Referring back to my original proposal, drop my not so good of an idea of
adding a digital only category, leave everything else the same, including
only one contact per band with any station. Then, add a point incentive to
work analog modes. This way nobody needs to buy new equipment or schedule
multiple weekends for contesting, Rovers can continue to rove as they do
now, and everyone can to use whatever mode they choose anytime during the
contest period.
What is the downside?
Dave ? K3SK
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
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