[VHFcontesting] Spotting and the DX Cluster in VHF contesting...

[Darryl Holman]

Hmmm...it seems like there are (at least) four distinct groups of users, and 
perhaps different tools would be needed for some or all of these constituencies:

1. Local or regional stations using almost any mode at almost any time

2. Meteor scatter stations (larger distances)

3. EME stations (global, but a good tool could limit spots to only stations with 
a possible EME path)

4. Rovers (mostly regional, but possibly from stations lacking internet access)

For my rover operations, anything that requires me to have direct internet 
access will not always work.  I use my cell phone to connect to the internet all 
the time, but some of the best places to rove in the Pacific Northwest are 
outside of cell phone-data range.  On top of that, even with internet access, 
posting to list servers, chat rooms, & spotting networks is not something I 
would have a lot of time to do with the style of roving that I do.

I wonder what tools already exist for rovers?  Obviously, APRS is the easiest 
infrastructure to use in that there is a large network of receiving stations. 
And, with the right software the operator should never even have to interact 
during the contest beyond initially setting up the APRS station.  But for the 
willing rover op, APRS messages like frequency, mode, direction, and sequence 
are easily accommodated.

So what tools are available for tracking rovers during VHF contests?  As far as 
I can tell, the very popular aprs.fi doesn't provide a mechanism to track a 
fixed list of station at a time.   Openaprs.net does allow for this.  But, using 
openaprs  would require each fixed station (looking for rovers) to create a 
tracking list of all rovers in a region.   Also, openaprs.net doesn't seem to 
show the grid (at least not that I can determine).

I can imagine a better tool:  One where each ROVER station registers for a 
contest.  Then a fixed station clicks on the contest of interest and can see all 
registered rovers located within the map area being viewed.  Ideally, the call 
sign and grid would be the basic display (the server would generate the grid so 
that the rover doesn't have to take the time to report it), and a click on the 
station icon would display additional information (frequency, mode, etc.).   The 
map would display grid lines and grid labels. Does anybody have plans to develop 
such a tool?   (The tool would be useful for state/regional QSO parties as well, 
using counties instead of grids).

Are there better tools available right now?   Are there reasonable alternatives 
to APRS for the rover with limited internet capabilities?

BTW: I'll be using APRS on Wednesday during the 432 MHz Sprint as practice for 
the June VHF contest.   Fixed stations might test out openaprs.net and any other 
tools that folks suggest by using a list of rover stations posted here.

Best,
   Darryl
   ww7d

On 4/28/2015 6:02 PM, VE3DS wrote:
> Marshall and all
> I’ve used the ON4KST 144/432 page for the sprints and it worked out fine. Too bad the propagation didn’t cooperate.
> Can’t speak the K5N experience but for the higher bands the page is effective for our local VE gang to coordinate with the
> W1 - W9 gang on 144 222 432 and up…
>
> I concur, we should try to stick to one spot.
>
> Why not give it a go later this week?
>
> Dana VE3DS FN03fq
>
>> On Apr 28, 2015, at 8:50 PM, Marshall-K5QE <k5qe at k5qe.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello all...well, at least we have the beginnings of some kind of rational discussion about the spotting problem.
>>
>> Apparently, the east coast believes that the DX Cluster spots are the way to go.  When you can post, "I hear weak pings on 50.265 please continue calling on 2nd sequence", then maybe the DX Cluster spots will be useful.  Or maybe, "W3XYZ, please call me on 144.142 on FSK".  Maybe their way will turn out to be a winner, but I think that we need a lot more than what you can get on a cluster spot.  Remember, we are allowed to post a lot more than just, "I see W4XYZ on 50.125".
>>
>> Many others have recommended the ON4KST chat pages(of which there are several).  When we were at DL88 running the K5N call, we posted that we would use the ON4KST Region 2 50MHz chat page as our primary page.  The ENTIRE time we were there, the Region 2 50MHz chat page was filled with European operators discussing their feedlines and everything else but Region 2 and 50MHz.  I could hardly get a post in edgewise.  I have never used the ON4KST pages again.  But maybe that would be a valid way to proceed.
>>
>> Jay-W9RM makes the point that we MUST NOT split up into many different ways to do this.  He has a point.  However, it is probably not going to be useful to have a bunch of meteor scatter guys posting to a page normally devoted to JT65.  So, some segregation seems necessary.
>>
>> I said before and I will say it again, "I don't exactly know how to do this".  Jay is right that we need to figure this problem out.....otherwise, we will end up with small groups scattered all over the place--which certainly will not result in more QSOs.  Currently, we have PingJockey for meteor scatter and the EME-1 page for those interested in EME.  Probably, ON4KST has similar pages, so if we just use those two, we are already split in half.
>>
>> OH, what to do, what to do??
>>
>> Rational thoughts, new ideas, and / or intelligent solutions are welcome.  Flames will go directly to the bit bucket.  They will not pass GO and will not collect $200.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for rational ideas and good discussion.
>>
>> 73 Marshall K5QE
>>
>>
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