[NLRS] 2m activity in contest

[Jon Platt]

Interesting observations by all.  
Myself I never went to 2M FT8 but I did listen a fair amount on 144.200 and around.  Like Bruce's comments, I found little activity.  My only 2m CW contact was with AA9D in EN52 ..... at least CW still works!   Prior to digital, CW was the way to work "DX" absent any significant propagation. I did take a quick listen to 144.174 and I did often hear tones, but at this time my station/equipment can support either HF/6m digital or 2/222/432 digital, but not both at the same time without messing with stuff.  Looks like this is something that I will have to address.
Times do change.  A week ago I pulled down my copy of "200 Meters & Down" to re-read. For those not familiar with it, this is the story of amateur radio albeit written in 1936. In the books introduction it states "The typical radio amateur of 1936 is a young man 25 years of age." and "His station, which is homemade from manufactured parts purchased largely at the neighborhood parts store, utilizes radiotelegraphy exclusively, although he expects some day to try radiotelephony."   Then we all know the story of spark vs CW, AM vs SSB, etc etc.   Times do change. 
73, JonW0ZQ