[PaQSO] Digital Modes

[Goody]

I'd agree that the NOs have it, but I think many of the arguments are flawed...

On logging software: Logging software programmers can deal with this; it's when you toss a rules change in one week before the event that causes problems.

On records:  Things change from year to year.  I doubt anyone will beat the multi-multi record for another 10 years due to the sunspot cycle.  Receiver sensitivities have improved over the last 30 years, but I don't think anyone would suggesting mandating receive attenuators to level the playing field.  Does anyone really think records while be broken over a couple digital contacts?

KISS: This isn't like adding QTCs.  If you don't want to operate digital, simply don't.  Folks can still operate 100% phone on one band if they like.  No one is forcing newcomers to operate digital, nor would a newcomer be interested in any point gain if there was any to be had with digital.  This is KISS at its finest.

Dilution:  I doubt anyone is going to stop operating phone or CW to operate digital.  If anything, digital would be a good thing on Sunday when you've scanned 40m phone for the umpteenth time trying to find a station that isn't a dupe.

People won't make contacts on digital: So be it.  No one is guaranteed contacts on any band or mode.  There's been years when you could make more contacts on 40 meters using a dummy load then you could on 10 meters with stacked monoband yagis.

It ain't broke, don't fix it:  The twentieth century ended four years ago.  Change can be fun.  God built DNA into living beings that occasionally flips bits and creates new features.  The PA QSO Party can have an occasional mutation.

Digital is compensation for non-CW or less skilled CW ops:  The same argument could be made that phone is for people that can't operate CW well.  I think it's a bit insulting to say the digital proposal is to "fix" this "problem" or level the playing field.  Perhaps some people would just like to operate a digital mode?  Maybe it would be fun for someone?  I'm a CW op and a good phone op, and I personally would probably not even operate digital if it was allowed, but I think this is far from "fixing" the contest for less skilled CW ops.  If this is a big worry, make digital contacts a tenth of a point.  Any perceived lack of CW participation is a totally separate issue and should be addressed separately, IMO.

I'd have to emphatically disagree with suggestions that the PA QSO Party is sinking or in trouble.  Discussions like this are a sign of a healthy event that people are interested in preserving and maintaining.  A quiet reflector is a danger sign and attempts to squash discussions would be deadly.  Leadership changes and it's not an easy job running something like this.

All in all this is the best QSO Party in the country and I think it will remain that way with or without digital.

End of rant. :-)  

73
Goody
K3NG