[VHFcontesting] APRS and contesting

[Ev Tupis]

----- Original Message ----
My perspective on this is that APRS can be an aid or crutch to the weak rover station, while not needed by a strong rover station.
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Remember, HamIM/APRS is simplex.  As such, having it is no different than having a voice-FM transceiver and using it...except that the QSO's take place using the keyboard and ID's are mapped on a map as a bonus.

----- Original Message ----
Those with halos for example cannot selectively point with gain to find the fixed station, so want all the help in having the fixed station find them.
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Interestingly, I run halos from my home on 6 and 2 meters.  I likewise did well in the June VHF Contest in 2006 (setting a WNY record).  In fact, it is my halo's that allow me to work as many VE3's as I do because my antennas aren't pointed away from y'all. :)  How do I make up for the lack of gain?  4x Halo on 6 meters and 8x Halo on 2 meters.  It is a matter of strategy and creativity.  HamIM is just like that.

----- Original Message ----
I believe also that the strongest base stations are too busy working the contest to be spending time on their computers tracking rovers, except perhaps in the slow times when poor conditions might suppress the APRS signals anyways, so APRS could bring a sense of false confidence to the user.
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This isn't how HamIM works.  I'll expand more in a "HamIM Success Strategy" note to the list a bit later.

Regards,
Ev, W2EV






       
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