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

[Walter Murphy]

I agree with Mike!!!

I operated from Home and listened a lot. I know some very good distances 
can be worked with these digital modes but during the weekend tuning up 
to the Digital Frequencies on 6 meters I heard many S9 to 20 over S9 
signals on digital which is a waste of time.  A simple SSB or CW QSO 
could be made in a fraction of the time.

My big objection is that many if not all of these stations on Digital 
never made one attempt to get on SSB or CW.

I find no enjoyment in watching a computer make a QSO.

73

Walt Murphy N2WM


On 1/22/2018 9:14 PM, Mike (KA5CVH) Urich wrote:
> 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.
>