[VHFcontesting] 50 MHz Sprint results

[Alan Larson]

Steve N4NIV wrote:
> Additional comment: I was using SSB only.  Yesterday I learned that
> at least 6 hams local to me were contacting each other using FT8.  I
> could have easily doubled my score had they been on SSB for any length
> of time.

  I don't think they cared about increasing your score.  They might have
said that if you wanted to increase your score, you should have been on
FT8.

  Perhaps the ARRL should add a "no computer modes" class, much as they
have an "FM only" class.

> It seems a waste to me to use FT8 to make contacts that are
> easily made with more traditional modes in a small fraction of the
> time, plus when the going is slow there is the possibility and time for
> a little ragchewing on the traditional modes.

  Leading to the possibility of someone new happening across the ragches
and working you.

  The next step may be for a SDR to listen to an entire band segment, a
computer to find and work every digital signal on the band, and email
the logs at the end of the contest.  No human interaction needed.

        Alan