[VHFcontesting] Internet Assistance

[Les Rayburn]

I understand those who don't favor Internet assistance, but find that 
the attitudes are often shaped by
inexperience or misinformation.

For instance,there is no "robo-mode" that allows someone to complete 
digital contacts without operator involvement. There's also a fair 
measure of operating skill involved in FSK441, or the JT modes used for 
tropo and EME contacts. An experienced operator can recover data that a 
less skillful one will miss. Period. No different than CW or SSB.

Second, contacts on VHF/UHF are often prearranged or done by schedule. 
Most of the truly historic achievements in our history were done after a 
series of failed skeds that finally resulted in a breakthrough contact. 
Only if the operators are dishonest does knowing the time, frequency, 
and call sign of the other station provide an advantage. And that's been 
possible for years.

I enticed a lot of local operators to get on 222 at 3PM in the afternoon 
on Saturday to gain some points. I knew who would likely be there, their 
call signs, and which direction to point the beam. But I still had to 
work them. Under the rules, those contacts are valid because I arranged 
them before the contest period started. I still used e-mail to line them 
up---so I think the rule is silly and meaningless.

"Captive rovers" is another technique that's been used for years in 
contest. Legal within the rules, but if I use "Ping Jockey" to make a 
sked on the fly, somehow I'm cheating? Give me a break. Live in the real 
world with the rest of us.

Lastly, outside of the NE and other metro areas, most of us are all for 
anything that generates more contacts and less dead air. Allowing the 
use of Internet assistance would do that. The CQ VHF Contest last year 
proved that to my satisfaction.

At the end of the day, we're all on the honor system. You either worked 
them or you didn't. I attempted and failed at several contacts during 
the contest. In most cases, I recognized the operator and their call 
sign. Many of them won't be turning it a log--so I could easily "add" 
them to mine. But what would be the point? Who would I be 
cheating--myself most likely.

Each contest I compete only against myself--trying to best my previous 
high score. This is how I measure progress, and for many who operate in 
rural locations, or live under deed restrictions, that's the best we can 
hope for. Not to win, but only to improve. Each time I break one of my 
own high scores, it's a victory.

The FM Only category encouraged more hams to try VHF/UHF contesting, at 
least here in Alabama. I worked at least seven stations that had never 
been in a contest before. One of my contacts, a ham of over 20 years 
told me that I was his first ever 440 MHz contact! I'd call that a success!

Opinions vary, but I challenge anyone who holds those views strongly to 
operate a January contest in Alabama---and you might change your mind. 
The biggest challenge is sometimes fighting off boredom!




-- 
73,

*Les Rayburn, N1LF*
EM63nf
121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114
6M VUCC #1712
Grid Pirates #222
Life Member Central States VHF

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