[VHFcontesting] FT8?- tarnation! - IT DEPENDS!

[z man]

I would also like to add my opinion to the topic. This weekend's contest
was the first in a while (work, family, etc) that I was able to participate
in & give out some points. However, I still had to attend to family things
at the same time. FT8 actually allowed me to talk with the wife while I was
working stations in the test. I had fun, experimented, and found some
equipment improvements I need to make before the spring sprints! Should FT8
be frowned upon? No. I think of it this way... I do not know the code well
enough to use it in a contest, therefore my score will suffer. However,
using FT8 can give me a "somewhat" fighting chance at a decent score.
Imagine what the diehard contester scores will be if they utilize all of
the popular modes available to them! I should've used SSB (and even FM)
more often this past weekend instead of just towards the end, and my my
measly 1860 score proves it. Lesson learned. I also see it as an
alternative to just calling CQ over and over once you've worked the locals.

I still had fun! That's the point of this HOBBY, isn't it? Oh yeah,
experimenting is in there too...

'Till next time,
Larry
N1MIW

On Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 2:58 PM Kim <whensley11 at comcast.net> wrote:

> For all the various opinions that have been offered, I'm going to offer
> mine.
>
> Everyone's situation is different.  There's not one answer for all.
>
> In my situation, there's not a high density of stations like there are in
> some areas.  Contacts come by whatever means:  SSB, FM, FT8, etc.
>
> I also contest with a VHF contest group.  Our usual setups on nowhere near
> population centers.  Contacts come by whatever means.
>
> My goal is not to win.  My goal is to have fun, and do my best with what I
> have.
>
> If you think FT8 is automatic, or semi-automatic, you've got it wrong.
> Just as you have to develop skills for CW and SSB, the same is true for
> FT8.
>
> If you're running FT8, you should have a waterfall of some type to watch
> the band, especially on 6-meters.  Conditions should having you moving
> among SSB, CW, FT8, FM, etc.  Having said that, I'm lacking.  My remote
> station is under development (always!), and that's coming up on my list to
> do.
>
> Let's be kinder about this.  YOUR situation and YOUR efforts all depend on
> what you have in front of you and around you.  Every situation is
> different.  Let's enjoy what we have.
>
> 73, Kim - WG8S
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