[VHFcontesting] Thoughts on the Digital Modes and VHF Contesting

[Mark Spencer]

To be transparent re the "/R" issue and WSJT-x, I can see how some operators might be ok with the current functionally vis a vis "/R".  That being said I'm not enthused about it and I don't really want to get into more detail on this list.   I'd encourage people contemplating using WSJT-x while roving to try this out ahead of time and form the own conclusions and at least be aware of how things work.   

I'm offering my comments re this matter to outline one of the reasons why I as a rover am not enthused about using modes such as FT8 while roving.   I believe I have outlined my views re this functionally this to the WSJT team in the past.  To recap I am grateful to have access to WSJT-x and appreciate the efforts of the developers.  I'll continue to look at the "/R" issue going forwards.

73

Mark S
VE7AFZ

mark at alignedsolutions.com
604 762 4099

> On Jan 23, 2018, at 3:23 PM, Steve Stahl <ke7ihg at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> It's my hope the wxjt group will hear our needs and offer a option to the rover/portable operations 
> Steve K7SWS 
> 
> On Jan 23, 2018 2:51 PM, "Mark Spencer" <mark at alignedsolutions.com> wrote:
> FSK441 does however allow longer messages than MSK144 which IMHO has some advantages for VHF and up contesting (ie. Sending 6 Character grids.)
> 
> As a general comment I believe the VHF and up contesting community seems to be moving towards new digital modes that to me at least don't seem to be well suited to at least some of our contesting activities.
> 
> Maybe we should at changing the contests to fit the modes ?
> 
> 73
> 
> Mark S
> VE7AFZ
> 
> mark at alignedsolutions.com
> 604 762 4099
> 
> > On Jan 23, 2018, at 2:35 PM, Keith Morehouse <w9rm at calmesapartners.com> wrote:
> >
> > Mark VE7AFZ wrote:
> >
> > I do understand that other rovers have run WSJT-x (with FT8 and other
> > modes) and may or may not share my views re this.  I also understand that
> > there are numerous advantages to using modes such as FT8 and MSK144.
> >
> > *******************************
> >
> > I see posts lumping these two modes together.  Mark just offered this
> > opportunity to make MY position clear on this.
> >
> > MSK144 used as a meteor scatter mode has replaced FSK441, which 15 years
> > ago, pretty much obsoleted CW & SSB meteor scatter runs for the simple fact
> > that it was many times more efficient (remember my last post concerning
> > efficiency building score).  Today, more and more operators are
> > "discovering" digital meteor scatter since MSK144 has been included with
> > the WSJT-X program from it's inception (almost).  But, the use of
> > "JT-modes" on meteor scatter is not a new thing.  It's been around and
> > adding to overall VHF contest scores as long as JT65 has existed (and, in
> > turn, increasing EME efficiency, like it or not).
> >
> > FT8 is the potential problem child of VHF contests and can be a
> > efficiency killer if not used wisely.  Yes, as KK6MC pointed out, it can
> > attract new operators to VHF, but it shouldn't be at the cost of pushing
> > the 'art' of contesting backwards.  Keep in mind this conversation is
> > happening on a VHF CONTESTING reflector, not on a general purpose VHF
> > reflector.  I would assume anyone subscribed to this mail list is
> > interested in the contesting aspect of VHF and ways to increase their
> > scores, just like the HF contesting mail list.
> >
> > -W9RM
> >
> > Keith J Morehouse
> > Managing Partner
> > Calmesa Partners G.P.
> > Olathe, CO
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