[VHFcontesting] Feeling like a frustrated old dinosaur and giving up.

[Mike (KA5CVH) Urich]

I guess one should be excited about the enthusiasm over the digital
modes but I'm not.  Events precluded my plans to get back into dong
some contesting with a simple Saturday only rove but was only able to
get on the air in spots a couple of  times.  I have a modest station
for six, a FTdx1200, 3L @ 30', good feedline, with maybe a 1 or 2 watt
return.  For the rove I would have used my FT-991.

The few times I was able to get on ... 50.125 was dead ... I mean
nothing.  Called CQ a few times ... even drug out the FT-817 to
monitor my signal ... sounds good.  Now I spun up and down the band as
I had time and could hear what I presume were digital modes with good
strong signals so my radio is working ... but no one is saying
anything.   Can't we just talk to one another ... I'm sorry if this
offends those who love digital but the dinosaur in me comes out.  To
me the digital modes for the most part are noting more than sending
texts and emails that I can do with my phone.  YAWN.

If you were on phone thank you ... we just didn't catch up with one another.

So maybe a digital free contest is in order ... hmmmm ... doubt it ...
I'll just get laughed at.

-- 
Mike Urich KA5CVH
http://ka5cvh.com

STX ASEC - Training
PIO Harris County ARES

We may be Volunteers,
But we're professional.