[VHFcontesting] Where Have All the Multi's Gone?

[Marshall Pochay]

Hi Terry and everyone, Could someone tell me how these casual operators are abusing FT8 enough that we are not supposed to work them? I see a casual operator one that probably wont turn a log in but is just out there making contacts, They are doing us a favor by being out there, Take Joe KV4HV down in EL94, Nice guy, Doesn't contest but has no problem taking a phone call from me to remind him there is a vhf contest going on and gets on and gives out that grid. And Im not talking about him getting on for a few contacts I have seen him on for hours. Sorry, Far as I know he is only on ft8 and Im happy to work him there, I usually send out about 10 emails before a contest to new (Prior) ft8 contacts I have made inviting them out or on for the contest, I try to give them a quick explanation on contest mode but I dont really expect them to get it and have no problem working them in non contest mode.For years I see complaints about lack of activity, Now we have a chance at new contacts
into new grids and I see a suggestion that a core contest station shouldnt work them. Please give me a little more detail on what they are doing so wrong that I shouldnt work them? I only run 4 bands from the em57 qth, I find ft8 way more productive than ssb/cw unless of course 6 is open, I did manage to work 7 local stations on 2 fm this january but cant work my own em57 grid on 222 (LOL)I am lucky I have a good bunch of rovers running the 4 bands and we are covering the 200 to 500 mile range mostly ft8. Yes not being able to move operators around with ft8 is a problem we need to address, And for that my 222 and 432 scores suffer but honestly for my qth I am actually seeing a better RATE on 6 and 2 using ft8. In the old days I could call CQ for hours and not get a soul not to mention in bed by 11 and back up at 5 or 6 am, Now days thanks to Digital aka FT8 and MSK144 and maybe a little covid19, The EM57 station is active the full contest period, Yes I have to take a 4 hour nap,
But thats on me, I cant wait to see what this q65 is about, Thanks 73 Marshall WD9EXD
> On 01/29/2021 8:12 PM Dan Evans via VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> Have to agree with the FT8 issues.  I actually love FT8.  It's great to work amazing range with a small station.  But it kills me to work S5 stations on FT8, after calling CQ on SSB with no takers...  I don't have an answer, but if you want to make contacts in this area, you better work FT8...
> I hate to see the decline in multi ops as well.  It always seemed to me that the "big guns" with the CQ machines going boosted activity.  I know there seemed to be a big decline in this area when the W9ICE group disbanded.  Of course, I haven't been very active in the last few years either.
> I'm hoping to make a comeback this year.  Although I may be doing more portable "grid expeditions" than actual Rover trips.
> 73Dan K9ZF /R
> -- K9ZF  President, Clark County Amateur Radio Club,Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Clark County Indiana. EM78el The once and future K9ZF /R no budget Rover  ***QRP-l #1269 Check out the Rover Resource Page at:  List Administrator for: InHam+grid-loc+ham-books  Ask me how to join the Indiana Ham Mailing list! 
> 
>     On Friday, January 29, 2021, 01:35:59 PM GMT-5, Dave <kdcarlso at gmail.com> wrote:  
>  
>  Sadly, if we don't resolve the FT8 issue I'm not sure the rover count will
> stay up either.
>  clip  
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