[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Activity night & Sprint Summary

[David Olean]

My biggest problem was figuring out how to log the contacts on FT8 and 
SSB/CW.  A little hint:  If you want to figure out the finer points of 
computing, do NOT call me.  My solution was to bring along a small 
laptop that was not connected to anything and use it to log SSB and CW 
contacts. I used my normal logging program to determine beam headings 
for particular callsigns.  I then used the WSJTX log to record my FT8 
contacts. The advantage is that the data entry is simple. The 
disadvantage is that figuring out the score is not that simple. I had to 
cut and paste the WSJT .adi file and figure out how many stations were 
worked. During the Sprint, I had to keep reminding myself that stations 
heard on FT8 that I ha worked on CW or SSB were also workable on the 
digi mode.

Conditions seemed normal to me. I started out at 23:00 and the callers 
were fast and furious. I saw 16 log entries in the first six minutes. 
Things slowed down after about 30 minutes and then I needed to go 
looking for stations.  I probably spent a bit more time on CW and SSB 
plus I tried a meteor sked late in the evening.  I did try some FT8 but 
have decided that I must not be doing something right as my results were 
lackluster with no new grids worked via FT8. I did make 22 contacts on 
FT8 plus another 48 contacts on CW/SSB.   I missed a few easy ones I am 
sure. I never found AA2SD to set up a try, but he would have been #49. I 
tried with VA3IKE and looked for VE3HES with zero luck on FT8. I had 
hoped that I might work somebody over a long haul via FT8 but it did not 
happen.  I never heard VE3ZV in EN92. He is usually a certain contact 
for me.  I did manage to work everyone else that I tried, so no 
complaints here.  It was a fun evening.  70 Qs in 21 grids.

Grids missing from my log:  FN33, FN53, FN55 (N1BUG), FN24 (VE3KG), 
FN23, FN21, FN10, FN11.  My totals are 48 Qs and 21 grids on CW and SSB 
plus 22 QSOs on FT8.  All that was missing was a bit of Moonshine and 
the chance of a DX contact via EME.   I also wonder what it would be 
like if a rip-snorting aurora had happened  that evening. We would have 
all gone crazy I am sure.

Dave K1WHS