[VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 129, Issue 26

[Dave Olean]

So the guy with the best internet connection has a big advantage. I do not 
have any internet in my shack at this time, so that would now be a problem 
for me.  EME contests are now pretty crazy. If you are not connected to a 
high speed internet connection and a chat page, you might just as well go 
watch TV or try bungee jumping.  I tried digital EME in an EME contest and 
only worked K1JT. He had MAP65 running and his computer deciphered my call 
right away as soon as I called CQ.  I worked K1JT and then I proceeded to 
call CQ and tail end other stations I heard, but never made any contacts in 
the hour or so of good moontime near my moonset.  I could hear my echo just 
fine.  Because K1JT did not post my frequency and call, I did not exist.  I 
think as computer technology makes more things possible, we will run into 
even more difficult operating dilemmas. MAP65 and the HF skimmers have 
turned many things upside down.
    I really believe that VHF and HF are different animals, BUT, I also 
think that using internet assistance should put you in at least a different 
category than someone who does not use it. I also think that internet chat 
pages and propagation pages are detrimental to some aspects of VHF.  We 
should be on the bands, checking the conditions and making noise. Too many 
of us (myself included) now are guilty of monitoring DX clusters and APRS 
and Hepburn maps only, rather than producing activity by actually being on 
the air! No activity means no influx of new VHFers. No new VHFers means that 
our scores will continue to drop in each VHF contest. It has gotten so bad 
here in Maine, that I put together a 160 and 10 meter station recently so I 
could make a few contacts! I was starting to forget what radio signals 
sounded like. Rather than argue about assistance vs non-assistance, we 
should be trying to build activity so that we can make many contacts all on 
our own.  KA1ZE started a "205 Morning Group" from Western PA, that was and 
still is a shot in the arm for activity on 144 MHz.  Every morning there is 
a group that gets on looking for DX, and everyone knows that it is possible 
to work someone on 2 meter SSB then. We need to build upon that. This 
morning I heard activity from Nova Scotia to North Carolina and Ohio to 
Ontario & Quebec.  That activity begat more activity on 222, 432, 1296 and 
2304.  It sure beats watching a computer monitor for propagation hints.
Dave K1WHS

-----Original Message----- 
From: Todd
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 9:56 AM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 129, Issue 26

George,

Great post, i thought i was loosing mind reading this stuff about 
announcements etc., where you post your grid, call , etc are you kidding 
me!!?? Where is the operating ability and skill to pull that out of a 
contact!

I uses to send my grid during a VHF CQ but i dont so that anymore either 
just because it takes away skill of trying to work and copy stations.

I am like you lets operate radio and work contacts the right way

73 Todd WD0T