For what it's worth, maybe some kind of contest where you must exchange some sort of actual communication or message would be helpful.  It could be via SSB, CW, or even Digital, but it would be almost impossible to pass along a random message of any length with FT8. JS8 would be an improvement, but the required messages could be crafted so SSB would be the fastest. CW, PSK32 or RTTY would also be candidates.
Rather than prohibit FT8, the contest could be crafted so FT8 would be quite unattractive for this particular "event".
 This "event" or "contest" would demonstrate the value of communicating. 

I like FT8 as a testing tool for my antennas and equipment. I can get a lot of good data in a short time to verify good or bad performance. Signal reports and grid squares are very helpful in that regard and pskreporter is wonderful. But there is really no "Communication" happening. So maybe there is a way to "force" a communication focus by crafting a contest or event that requires it.

Just a "Wild" idea as food for thought.

Rob - K0XL

On Thu, Aug 3, 2023 at 1:06 PM Rusty Lane via NLRS <nlrs@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
Matt,
I agree, my life got busy for a long time and didn’t turn my radio on for years. That’s changed now, kids grown up, grandkids growing up, and my priorities have shifted back to ham radio.
Be great to have all three nets back on the air Sunday nights, or maybe the creation of a new NLRS award for rag chewing?
The new monthly cw sprint is intended to increase activity of VHF/UHF, maybe we need an SSB monthly sprint focused on talking not just exchanging grid squares, thoughts?
Russ


Russell Lane, W0LMS
612-578-4809
Life is a journey, not a destination!

On Thursday, August 3, 2023, 11:33 AM, Matt Arthur via NLRS <nlrs@mailman.qth.net> wrote:

Hi all,

Well i think it's really to bad there won't be much activity this weekend.

Seems everyone has other stuff going on.

Well i can understand that.

I will do the naqp on Saturday.

Scence i can only operate 10 hours out of the 12 i will get on some time
late evening.

But if i don't get at least 10 qso's i will not turn it in.


i think we have a problem.

yYou know there once was a time when hams really got on the air and they
talked to other hams.

Look at how most hams camunacate now, it's through the internet email
reflectors and the like.

Could it be the A R R L is kind of behindthis trend as well?

While i love contesting and do alot of it, you still have to get on
other times besides contest and operating events.

How did learn about vhf anyway?

Well it's because i was out picking crab apples and had my hand held on
the local repeater over 40 years ago.

I started talking to some one who was on his way back from sd.

He talked all about how he was standing around with his ic 502 and made
contacts all over with it.

It was because of that conversation i have been on 6 meters andabove.
Also because of ham radio i have been able to acomplish other things
completely  unrelated to ham radio.

Even because of ham radio i have been able to make some good money
because i happen to know a ham who could get me some show or something.

But now we don't talk much on the air unless it's a contest or some event.

I think thisneeds to change.

I really have to blame the didgital modes for this trend and the email
reflectors.

While the reflectors and all are fine we need to get on the air.


Now take a look at the vhf activity.

There are a few guys on in the morning on two meters.

When six meters is open it's mostly ft8

you really have to work some times to get any one on ssb or cw.

Hell the same thing is happening on hf.

Sure there are big groups but some of us don't realoly like big groups
either.

Maybe  the ARRl needs to come up with an award to get people just on the
air.

Not sure but i certainly see a problem.

You should also remember there are alot of people who would love to have
your vhf uhf frequencies.

So lets let them have it and you can have just one chanal for ft8??

Is this what you want?

I hope not.

Thanks 73 Matt ka0pqw



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