Do Contests Need to Change? Kyle Krieg AA0Z Makes His Case

At the recent Northeaster VHF / UHF /Microwave Conference, during an ARRL Q & A session, I commented that the VHF & UHF contest should award points & or multipliers for not only working multiple bands, but multiple MODES as well. My comments were specifically directed to 6 meter activity; FT8 has nearly KILLED all OTHER modes in VHF contests, including most SSB activity. I also admitted that I work FT8 during the contests myself, simply because that's where EVERYONE ELSE is . I'll agree that FT8 is efficient (especially with QRP power), but operating it is about as exciting as watching paint dry. If you want to query the other station on FT8 as to what other bands he has to try to work him there, "can't do that!" There was also the sight-impaired operator who was grateful when I replied to his CQ on 6 M. SSB; "Everyone's gone to FT8, which I can't operate due to my handicap".
One of my greatest thrills in hamming was back during one of the previous sunspot cycle peaks, working a W7 in Seattle, WA on 6 Meter SSB. (I' in MA, grid FN41). I was running an ICOM IC-502; for those not familiar with this little rig, it was one of a series of QRP (3 watt) bare-bones analog SSB/CW rigs ICOM made (I think in the early 1980's?) as little "hiltopping" radios (the IC-202 was for 2 meters, the IC-402 for 70 cm.); the radios included built-in collapsible 1/4 wave whip antennas). Here I was, using the IC-502's 54" whip antenna, indoors, on the first floor of our 3-story house, talking to this guy in Seattle like he was on the other side of the room, with the S-meter's on BOTH of our radios near pegging with S9+20 db. signals! I also ran the IC-502, IC-202, & IC-402 (which I mistakenly SOLD! ) during one of the ARRL June VHF contests from the Marconi station historical site in Wellfleet, MA on Cape Cod (which happens to be a rate grid, FN51), with small Yagis for each band, & had an absolute BLAST due to fabulous conditions that weekend.
I'd like to repeat those experiences (with the modern equivalent, my IC-705 ), but on other modes BESIDES FT8.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Tom WA1LBK

PS - Note my QRZ avatar - a Lafayette HA-460 6 meter AM transceiver!

 

VHF contesting is in a huge state of flux with FT8. Your complaint and ideas have been raised by several people....

 

I also had a lot of fun with my Icom 202/502/402 but it has been years since they have been turned on.

More recentlyI have 375 grinds confirmed on 6 with LoTW only, mostly on FT8 using a K3/KPA 500 and a 4 El Yagi at 20ft.
Before they changed the FD rules I'd hunt grids with 400W on 6M looking for double hop paths to rare grids.

I need another thirty countries for 6M DXCC.

 

Those are two meanings of gaming, however there are others. If you look at the the words "game" and "gaming" there's plenty of other usages that are widely adopted in the common vernacular. In fact, "game" and "sport" can be used synonymously such as in the phrase "The Olympic Games". Further "game", "games", and "gaming" can also refer to other activities outside of sport or gambling. "Game" is frequently used to refer to simulations where theories, techniques, tactics, procedures, strategies, and rules are tested. These can be found in phrases such as "war-gaming". This doesn't even go into other meanings such as the specific manipulation of rules or procedures to arrive at a more favorable outcome, e.g. "gaming the system".

I would proffer that ARRL Field Day is exactly that, a scheduled event originally designed to simulate activating in less than optimal conditions. Haven't we all learned something we need to do better from field day, even down to "make sure you bring a basic tool set along with you in order to make expedient repairs".

It should also be noted that gaming and gamification aren't directly related.

 

Again….As I have said before…Desperate attempts to stay relevant, that serve no purpose other than to dilute this hobby further from any semblance of actually “doing radio.”

You should not be surprised, given the source.

SMH.

 

The attraction of ham radio is communication through RF via electronics. 'Gaming' refers to deterministic, man made activities where the outcomes, often complex, are always, always based on skill or pseudo--not real--randomness.

Contesting contends with an ionosphere. That is not deterministic. Ever. The best we do is rough predictions. But the ionosphere is not subject to rules, whereas all games are boundaried by rules.

It is not gaming. Contesting is indeed an activity where SKILL is a big factor. But it is NOT a game.

What's in a name?

Well, go ahead and try to 'map' the notion of GAMING into the Part 97 mission ststement. Not possible.

Why is that important?

Because the FCC will ultimately see such 're-set's as the essential disconnect between the MISSION of the Part 97 service and the PERCEPTION of its largest non profit 'association'--the ARRL.

The ARRL is trying to sell 'fun' as the future growth factor in ham radio. 'Re-set'ting the PERCEIVED mission will only take the FCC to -re-set' Part 97 to lesser spectrum, lesser power, and a reeled-in service.

Contesting is 'radiosport'. Period.

That is my opinion.



73
Chip W1YW

 

Not being an FT8er, I’ve given up on VHF contests. CW/SSB is a huge waste of time there. What was frustrating was seeing FT8 signals strong enough on 6M that the op could have easily gotten Q’s on CW/SSB. A sign of the times.

 

To answer AA0Z, no, contesting is radio sport, and gaming is playing. Leave it on the internet.

 

Your experience has been repeated in many places. It its crazy. I've turned my radio on and dialed up 50.313 and it sounds like the rain forest. Go down to 50.125 - not even crickets.

 

Exactly! What's more baffling is the fact that you can make so many more Q's so much faster on CW/SSB than FT8/4. I don't understand the attraction.

 

Chip, I don't necessarily think he is renaming contesting to 'gaming.' Another definition of "gaming" is to manipulate as in "gaming the system." As I read the title and description, I suspect this talk will be about manipulating modes of operation for advantage in contests.

I don't suspect this forum is in any way related to the context of this post regarding gamifying radiosport.

 

Hi BJ,
Can you explain what you mean by "manipulating modes of operation for advantage in contests"? By "modes", do you mean CW, SSB, digital? Or are you referring to the various operating categories provided by the contest rules? To me, "manipulating", or as you propose "gaming the system", could be another word for cheating. Thanks!

 

I certainly understand and appreciate your point. I also think that I'm deducing that more of the objection is around the potential perception of improprieties being associated with it, e.g. gambling and profit.

I would offer that "radiosport" is just as dangerous of a term, other than games that are specifically designed for gambling sports draw more gambling than any other form of game. Additionally, the historic commonly accepted differentiators between "sport" and "game" has been that sport requires physical activity to participate; ergo all sports are games, but not all games are sports. I would even say that the term "competition" is dangerous when it comes to the perception of the public, legislature, and commission administration. "Communications Simulations" might be the safest term.

However, minus the thought of gambling I cannot see where gaming/sport/competition are incongruous with 97. In fact looking at item C in the "Basis and purpose", it could be inferred that activities which measure the exercise and advancement of skills are encouraged.

As far as gaming not including randomness, that seems to be very closely aligned with zero sum game theory definition of gaming, and I don't see the contextual relevance. Even when applied to making contacts during an event, ionospheric activity affects the entire participating population to one degree it's not selective. I don't see significant difference from that to playing the game of football in the rain.

 

AHh!

I get it: The CEO of the ARRL is going to tell us to 'game' by using SSB and FT8 in the ARRL CW DX Test, and, another example, use FM and RTTY in SSB WPX Test.

Don't think so.

You need to read the forum description.

 

The RELEVANCE is that games are deterministic. Contesting is not. Please re-read. Don't confuse third order effects with first order . The ionosphere is a first order effect which is not deterministic.

Not.
A.
Game.

Also, don;t confuse skills with rules of 'games'. Of course contesting takes skills. As mentioned.

73
Chip W1YW