[VHFcontesting] The digital modes and the Sept contest....

[K7XC Tim Marek]

The point folks that you all have missed is the new FT8 mode gives people
with NO CW SKILLS the power of CW without having to learn it. It also
automates most of the process making it easier to multi-task on the various
web sites while  begging for more Qs.

The real problem with FT8 is that it's over used, especially by people
trying to work adjoining grids. I was lucky to work grids on 6M that I
don't normally hear due to the Sierra NV mountains between myself and the
stations in CA, OR, and WA. I doubt I would have heard let alone worked
them on SSB as few of OPs are able to do CW anymore.

This year there were many rocks to use most of Saturday and Sunday morning
making MSK144 a perfect choice to snag new 6M Mults.  FT8 made alot of long
Tropo contacts across the mountains much easier to accomplish.

So, Overall activity has been up due to the new modes which is a good
thing. Now the real issue starts... Educating folks when to use FT8 and
when not to. Abandoning SSB/CW completely is not something I endorse nor
wish to see happen.

So talk to the new OPs you heard and worked during the contest and have an
honest dialog about the subject as EDUCATION is the key to the improved
future of VHF Contesting/DXing, Not complaining and conflict.

Your mileage may vary...

73s de Tim - K7XC - DM09jh... sk

Adapt, Overcome, Succeed!

On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 6:28 PM, Walt Murphy <n2wm at centurylink.net> wrote:

> Hello everyone
>
> I am a long time contester on VHF. First operated in a September VHF
> contest on 6 meters in 1969 with AM. Yes I am a Dinosaur.
>
>   My observation during the September VHF contest as an Operator at the
> W2LV group VHF contest effort.
>
>   From our hilltop location on 6 and 2 meters we copied many stations on
> the digital frequencies with S-7 to 20 over S-9 signals making very short
> haul contacts on digital and ignoring even being on SSB at least during the
> VHF Contest period.
>
>   I was under the opinion that the advantage of these computer digital
> modes was for EME, Meteor Scatter and extreme weak signal QSO's not as a
> replacement of SSB and or CW. On 50.313 the number of stations competing,
> AKA Pileups, surely had to reduce the QSO rates and probably covered up any
> real weak or long distance signals that were on the frequency.
>
>   Now I have read comments that this FT-8 mode that seems to be the mode
> of choice on digital is no better than CW on weak signal detection and
> decoding. If this is true we are now a computer application hobby.
>
>   I hope to enjoy many more VHF Contests and will try some more digital in
> the future.
>
> 73    Walt Murphy    N2WM
>
> Trustee of W2LV
>
>
>
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