[VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting Digest, Vol 217, Issue 56

Sat Jan 30 16:29:17 EST 2021

The world is changing and so is ham radio. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I enjoy all modes, and I do enjoy FT8. I am mainly a DX'er and grid chaser. When working DX the exchange is usually "You're 5by9, 73." Contest exchanges are usually "You're 5by9, 73." I rarely have to touch my CW paddles- my auto keyer has my call and 5NN 73 programmed into it. FT8 has the same minimal exchange- I am puzzled as to why so many amateurs dislike it. I worked the VHF test for the first time in many years. I enjoyed it. 90% of my contacts were on 6M FT8. I think FT8 has boosted contest activity. No, it is nothing like the 1980's or 90's, but look at the numbers. According to the ARRL, the 2020 VHF contest had 942 logs submitted, the most logs turned in for this century(The 21st century). Guess what? As of last night, 1178 logs were submitted for the 2021 VHF contest. Why the uptick in activity? Is it FT8? Is it the volume of IC9700's sold? Nothing better to do while quarantined? We may never know. FT8 has had a negative impact on the level on SSB and CW activity, but it seems to increased activity overall. Is this really a bad thing? Just my humble opinion. 73 de W3ATV.
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:10:19 -0600 (CST)
From: Marshall Pochay <wd9exd at comcast.net>
To: "vhfcontesting at contesting.com" <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Casual operators on ft8
Message-ID: <1457764713.375595.1611976220450 at connect.xfinity.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

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

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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:59:18 -0600 (CST)
From: Marshall Pochay <wd9exd at comcast.net>
To: Dan Evans <k9zf at yahoo.com>,    Dan Evans via VHFcontesting
    <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Cc: "vhfcontesting at contesting.com" <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Where Have All the Multi's Gone?
Message-ID: <1002478703.382744.1611979158878 at connect.xfinity.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

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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