[VHFcontesting] Digital Modes (FT8) in January 2019 Contest

[Mark Spencer]

Well they may not be "magic" but in my experience digital modes at times do seem to enable qso's that would be difficult or perhaps even impossible with traditional analog modes.  For example I recall using JT65C to complete a 1296 qso during a contest that simply wasn't getting done with CW or SSB.  In my view digital modes can be a tool in the toolbox to use when analog modes are not suitable.   My preference would be to only use them when needed.   There might also be some merit to scoring digital and analog qso's differently but I haven't put any thought into that issue.

73

Mark S
VE7AFZ

mark at alignedsolutions.com
604 762 4099

> On Jun 19, 2019, at 3:59 PM, Dave Clouser <dave at nz3m.com> wrote:
> 
> Interesting how folks perceive digital comms as some sort of magical mode where you don't even need propagation.  Digital is a "sound" that is generated by your computer and sent through your transmitter, just like SSB or CW is through your mic or key.  That sound is received by your receiver and sent to the computer to be decoded, just like SSB is decoded by your brain when you hear it (thanks to English classes).  You need propagation just like the other modes.  Its just a language that we don't understand....YET :-)
> 
> 
> 
>> On 6/19/2019 6:10 PM, David Huff wrote:
>> I agree with others, splitting the contest might be better.
>> Have 1 weekend be ONLY digital VHF/UHF
>> A second weekend being only VHF/UHF SSB/CW
>> And then a third weekend of VHF/UHF any mode.
>> 
>> Note, we have ARRL awards for HF split by mode, but not VHF/UHF, meaning there is no digital only VHF award.  They just lump everything together.  Looking at the grid chase stats, it is clear digital HF modes are more popular than HF CW/SSB for the HF bands.  But a lack of VHF/UHF radios that do SSB/CW/Digital as well as FM is probably to blame.
>> 
>> My personal theory, more people would be on VHF/UHF if the radios were more convenient to interface to a digital source like a laptop, and cheaper.  Right now there is a lack of affordable ALL mode style radios for VHF/UHF.  And the ones that do exist are expensive.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> David
>> W0IM
>> 
>> 
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