[PaQSO] Digital Modes

[K3YD at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/06/2005 14:02:30 Eastern Standard Time, 
jss167 at yahoo.com writes:

<< I have the concern that we may be headed towards an
 email/computer contest.  We already have people
 sending and copying CW with computers, computer
 logging, voice keyers, packet spotting, now we have
 digital.  Is there any challenge anymore?  >>

I would disagree about copying CW with computers.  Perhaps it's possible 
under perfect conditions, but under contest conditions (weak, fading signal, QRM, 
poor sending, etc.) I don't think so  :-)  A good pair of ears with a brain 
in-between is still superior to any computer algorithm which is commonly 
available to the amateur community.

I am willing to be open minded about the 2006 inclusion of digital modes.  
Let's see how many people give RTTY/PSK31 a try and how it influences scores.  I 
am of the opinion that digital contesting is a bit "slower" than either phone 
or CW, both of which can achieve rates of over 200 contacts per hour by a 
skilled operator.  However, even a slow rate is better than no rate at all.  

I have tried VHF (SSB) and concluded that the effort to set up a station for 
those bands  was not returned by sufficient Q's.  Till we try digital modes, 
we'll never know about those, will we?

73, Blair K3YD