[VHFcontesting] Post-Contest Grid Square Queries

[David Olean]

Hello Sebastian,
I made no contacts above 432 this time around in June, but usually can make 
50-75 Qs on 1.2 CW and SSB from my location in SW Maine. The way we all do 
it is to work someone on either six or two and run them up the bands. The 
six and two ops ask each station worked if they have higher bands and 
proceed from there.  Single op stations do likewise.
    Before the limited multi category was established, there was enough 
random  activity on 1296 so that the guy running that station called CQ 
periodically, and got answers. There were "activity hours" for each band. 
The limited multi rules caused a big drop in stations active on 1296. That, 
combined with computer logging, enabled more efficient running up the higher 
bands (at least for multi op stations) The result today is that there are 
almost no random contacts on the bands above 432 here. They are all sent up 
after working them on a lower frequency.

73
Dave K1WHS


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sebastian" <w4as at bellsouth.net>
To: "VHF Contesting Reflector" <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Post-Contest Grid Square Queries


> First, I admit I'm a newbie when it come to contests of any kind.  As
> I've mentioned before, this was the first contest I have ever
> seriously participated in.   I didn't go in there planning to win
> anything, just to have fun and work as many stations as possible.  If
> I win something, great, if not; I won't be disappointed.  I already
> got the fun out of it that I wanted.  My 2 meter & 440 rotor wouldn't
> cooperate so I wasn't able to use those bands.
>
> Now on to the purpose of this email:
>
> 2.1.3. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements
> involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, etc) is not
> permitted.
>
> I'm not a lawyer.  I think the above sentence is very clear. No
> outside assistance or arrangements are to be used to work other
> stations.
>
> My conscience is clear, but I must admit that I didn't dwell on this
> rule during the contest.  I didn't feel a need to use DX Sherlock, or
> even the DX clusters, because there was already a lot of activity on
> the band.  But those stations that claim dozens of contacts on 1.2 GHz
> and above; you can't expect anyone to believe that those stations just
> happened to be on there listening for you.  Now if those contacts were
> arranged prior to the contest, does that make them 'legal'?
>
> I think that rule is antiquated, and serves to stifle the advancement
> of other technologies.  I frankly don't see why many of the tools
> discussed shouldn't be used.  The purpose of the contest is to work as
> many stations as possible.  If it's ok to pre-arrange skeds prior to a
> contest, then what's wrong to arrange them during a contest?
>
> 73 de W4AS
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