[VHFcontesting] FT8 and VHF contesting

[Ron Klimas WZ1V]

Hi Chet: 
That may be a good plan for young whippersnappers like you, 
but for most old farts like me our fingers can barely type 1 WPM, 
and when we reach to press a button it's often the wrong one 
and we spend the next hour trying to unlock the radfio - LOL. 
Multiple radios and modes at the same time- fa getta bout it ! 
Have fun in the test ! 

73 Ron WZ1V

----- Original Message -----
From: <chetsubaccount at snet.net>
To: <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:08:01 -0500
Subject: [VHFcontesting] FT8 and VHF contesting

> Hello fellow contesters,
> 
> Some recent threads here and elsewhere about FT8 have prompted me to express
> my alternate view. 
> 
> I agree with the summary statement that FT8 has presented VHF contesters a
> complex problem.
> 
> What I do not agree with is that FT8 has ruined VHF contesting. The most
> vocal about its demise seem to be the big mega MM stations. I understand the
> angst; they have put in a huge effort over the decades to optimize their
> station capability and team and now it doesn't work the same anymore. The
> old ways have been challenged. But that beautiful 4-1000A 6M amplifier and
> plate modulator had to sadly be replaced too.
> 
> For a station like mine that runs low power, the changes are exciting. In
> the past, from here in CT, I could hear a distant big operation like K8GP,
> AA4ZZ, or W3SO long before they could hear me, if at all.  But using FT8 I
> have that extra 15-20 dB of help and now I will likely get that grid.
> 
> For many years I've maintained my own  VHF call history file to use with my
> logging program. When I started trying FT8 a couple of years ago, it was
> striking how many local stations I'd work that were NOT in that history
> file. That means a LOT more (new?) amateurs are getting on for the contest.
> 
> For any mode, to do well you still need a good station and antenna system.
> Make that a never-ending part of your effort. As an avid contester and not a
> DXer, over the years I've put-up multiple antennas and switching systems to
> provide wide azimuthal coverage. Other improvements are still being
> pondered.  Consider this: A 5 element yagi has a 3dB beamwidth of 54
> degrees. On FT8 the equivalent  MDS azimuth coverage is now 128 deg.
> Remarkable! This wider coverage and increased boresight range makes many
> more contacts possible. If you want to fare better, adapt, and keep
> improving. 
> 
> Does FT8 take over for the operator? It could, if someone chooses to watch
> the New England Patriots get whomped and just click a mouse now and again.
> But an avid contest op will watch the decode screen every cycle, notice how
> strong stations are (for clues when to go to ssb or cw), note who is new,
> scan for a new mult, make decisions what antenna to select right now and
> next, decide if the current qso really is complete, etc. An avid op will
> acquire a feel from experience for what part of the day to try beaming
> north, or to go on SSB for a while.
> 
> Want more challenge? Reconfigure your station to allow having one session
> going on 6M and another on 2M at the same time. That will get the little
> grey cells going to do it and in learning SO2R think. How does using real
> time texting to "arrange" a contact do that?
> 
> A traditionalist may suggest penalizing the use of digital modes thru rules
> revisions. Hmmm. so the amateur that puts in thought and maybe a lot of
> resource into trying and maybe even adding EME capability (as many MM
> stations have done) to try to work more multipliers should be shown the door
> now? I thought the point of contesting was to encourage technical learning
> and skills, not discouraging it. It is our own choice to use or not use EME,
> or FT8, or spectrum windows, chat rooms, rover circling, remote radio, or
> other new ideas, but should not discourage those that are trying them. Find
> your own personal comfort zone and enjoy your operation.
> 
> 73, and keep on growing,
> Chet, N8RA
> 
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