[VHFcontesting] Digital and VHF contests

[barry at k7bwh.com]

I drive up mountains in rare grids across the Pacific NW and, like James, really appreciate the WSJT capabilities to make more contacts with more people at greater distances. It sure boosts my contest score to rack up grid multipliers on an otherwise dead band. 

I’m usually a single-band 6m operator so “running the bands” isn’t really important to me. 

Slack is fun, and helps coordinate when I have cell coverage. But day-to-day Slack usage is like drinking from a firehose with too much random chatter for me. Fun to check in once in awhile when I’ve got time to kill, but I mostly focus on it during grid expeditions. 

Bottom line for me: WSJT is my go-to tool in my QSO toolkit and I’ll check in on CW/SSB as appropriate. My sincere best wishes go to those who avoid digital modes. Ham radio is a hobby we do for fun, so I wholly encourage you to engage in the aspects that are fun for you!

Barry K7BWH 
Seattle CN87us

> On Sep 19, 2019, at 7:32 AM, James C <jabeco at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Conversely, I haven't had this much fun contesting ever! (26 years in the
> hobby)
> 
> The WSJT suite has made contesting a reality for me. (I live in an area
> where the closest active vhf+ op is 150miles away).
> 
> Before WSJT I was thrilled to make 5 contacts in a contest. Now I'm
> competitively chasing grids for FFMA, Having fun in contests, Enjoying the
> fellowship Slack and the other loggers have provided, Making contacts on 6m
> MS daily, Activating rare grids and more.
> 
> If it wasn't for WSJT none of this would have happened. I will never
> operate CW and I might get on phone to enjoy a legacy contact once a blue
> moon.
> 
> My interest in 6m (and VHF+ DX) is at an all time high thanks to WSJT.
> Huge thank you to K1JT for keeping the hobby interesting and alive. There
> are more then enough 6m ops using digital to keep busy with. I don't feel
> like I'm missing anything by ditching CW/SSB.. except a headache from
> listening to static for hours at a time.
> 
> It's clear to anyone who's been paying attention that CW and SSB are headed
> to the dustbin of history. I commend those who are staying away from digi.
> It's a tough road to travel with so many folks staying current on
> technology. Good luck to the brave souls sticking to your CW/SSB guns. I'm
> afraid It's going to get more and more lonely for those guys.
> 
> Flame on!
> 
> .-James K7KQA DN06 (6m - 7el LFA/KW)
> 
>> On Thu, Sep 19, 2019 at 6:51 AM Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> You won't find me on FT(#).ever.
>> 
>> It's the exact opposite of why I like to contest on VHF, and generally just
>> get on VHF.
>> 
>> I like to say Hi to Paul(N1BUG), the crew @ W2SZ/1, Dave/K1WHS in FN43 etc
>> etc
>> 
>> even if that means listening to their CW and sending a quick "dit dit" or a
>> "Hi Paul, here is FN66"
>> 
>> (ie: literally 1 extra second for VHF contest QSO's that only take 5-10
>> seconds anyways.
>> 
>> I can very much appreciate a lot of folks like FT-whatever, but it does
>> nothing for me.
>> 
>> Each to his own I guess.  My interest in VHF contesting (and 6m DXing) is
>> at
>> an all time low.
>> 
>> (and I've been at it a long time!)
>> 
>> Mike VE9AA FN66
>> 
>> Keswick Ridge, NB
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