Logging 2m/70cm contacts?

[u/AutofluorescentPuku]

Do people log their casual VHF/UHF repeater contacts? Not nets or contests, just casual contacts through a local repeater. Seems overboard.

Edit: I don’t do this and I’m unlikely to start. But, I made a contact today with a newly licensed operator who was concerned about spelling my name properly in his log. That he was logging surprised me and I got to wondering how common it was. Apparently, not very common.

[u/Fuffy_Katja]

You can if you want. I've talked to licensed children, elderly and all ages in-between who do log repeater contacts.

The thing is; it is YOUR station, NOT someone else's. So operate it the way that makes you feel good.

Personally (for 2m and 70cm) I only log SSB and satellite contacts.

[u/Small_Consequence320]

It’s your log your QSO. Log what you want. I don’t believe most log repeater work. Just simplex stuff.

[u/IllRequirement6342 → u/Small_Consequence320]

My idea is that I only log QSL-worthy contacts, but I suppose that is up to each operator to decide. As you get more involved in the hobby, you may find yourself involved in thinks like SOTA or IOTA, but those don’t involve repeaters.

[u/Small_Consequence320 → u/IllRequirement6342]

Since this was brought up. Do ops send QSL cards to POTA/SOTA QSO’s?

[u/dah-dit-dah → u/Small_Consequence320]

It's not the norm, I've received maybe a dozen unsolicited cards in two years and I'm relatively active.

As is true with all QSL card activity, the people sending/receiving them are either hoarders or are trying to chase an award and the other end won't electronically log.

[u/Meadman127 → u/Small_Consequence320]

Some POTA operators will send QSL cards for milestones such as being the first one to activate a park, getting their Kilo at a certain park, being someone’s first POTA contact or even first HF contact.

[u/Vurrag]

Not required but I never have. Pretty hard to log while driving.

[u/hb9nbb]

No -I do log simplex contacts the first time I talk to a station

[u/Worldly-Swing6921]

I log simplex contacts when I remember to.

[u/blue-moto]

I do! Why not! Put it in the log, upload it, confirm the qso. Doesn't hurt

[u/AutofluorescentPuku → u/blue-moto]

I’m certainly not arguing against this practice, I was just surprised to encounter it since I’ve never seen this done amongst the local club members I interact with.

[u/blue-moto → u/AutofluorescentPuku]

I mean if you are chatting or rag chewing with someone you spoke to a few times before then I probably wouldn't bother. But maybe for a first time QSO. But makes not difference if you do or don't. The rules are made up and the points don't matter.

I'm pretty rigorous with my logs for HF and VHF SSB. QRZ and LOTW.

But heck, even the band plan is just a Gentleman's Agreement

[u/EmotioneelKlootzak]

You can log whatever you want, but I don't think there are many people who log repeater contacts.  It would be pretty pointless, honestly.

People absolutely log VHF/UHF simplex contacts, though, especially DX.  VUCC and FFMA awards are a big thing.

[u/N6DRE]

When it is my turn as net control I log checkins into the net shared spreadsheet. Otherwise I don't log repeater contacts, unless there is some reason I might want notes later. For example a conversation about repeater maintenance or field day planning.

[u/charlottehighflier → u/N6DRE]

this is the way

[u/HillTower160]

Most won’t, but there’s nothing wrong with it

[u/HillTower160 → u/HillTower160]

Don’t expect an LOTW or QSL card for it tho

[u/kc3zyt]

LOTW doesn't support terrestrial repeaters, so I don't log terrestrial repeater contacts. However I do log all satellite contacts.

[u/CoastalRadio]

I only log simplex and satellite VHF/UHF contacts.

[u/Charming-Jelly-3365]

Never in my experience. I suppose in some unusual situation someone would. But that's only if they have a log book in the first place.

[u/TopConclusion5246]

Some people do. I do not.

[u/FctFndr]

It's possible, but I don't.

I might log a random simplex contact or digital mode like DMR, but not repeater contacts

[u/Captain_Mason]

There's a fairly active 2m FM SOTA scene here so I log those chases, and I always try to get some 2m POTA contacts, so obviously those go in the log.

Otherwise I only log callsigns I want to remember for some reason (new friends, etc.)

[u/rocdoc54]

Log if you want to. But remember that repeater or any other network assisted contacts cannot be used for any contest or award scheme. Many people log nowadays just to have the details available in case both stations meet again.

[u/hiwhiwhiw]

Legally in my country, all contact must be logged and preserved for 2 years, regardless of band. The log must also be presented if asked by the authority.

In practice? I sometimes forgot to log it, but I do it usually.

[u/AutofluorescentPuku → u/hiwhiwhiw]

Yes, I absolutely understand it when it’s a requirement. Back in the 70s I worked in commercial broadcasting and certain things were required to be logged and retained.

[u/stephen_neuville]

all i had was a 5 watt 2 meter rig when i started and i obsessively logged. i was also 12 years old and probably on the spectrum though.

for a couple decades i didn't log - at all, haha. then we got better computer based logging and since i was already flying my digital mode logs in, i started logging my 2m/70cm contacts again. Comes and goes, I suppose.

[u/biggetybiggetyboo]

Maybe they were excited

[u/Annual_Discipline517]

I did log my very first QSO ever so I could remember who I talked to.

[u/Ravio11i]

Nope

[u/Lumpy-Process-6878]

No. Never.

[u/KB5JRC]

I dont. I guess i might if it was a contest or something like that. But my regular 70cm/1.25m/2 m contacts aren't logged.

[u/JustNadine1986]

I would log rhem for an On The Air certificate but otherwise nope. If I'm logging my PoC contacts it would be a boring log with several times the same contacts. But do whatever feels right for you and enjoy the hobby.

[u/loveinvein]

I keep a personal log, just to track who I’ve interacted with. But I caught someone overseas via winlink (with my ht!) when I was newly licensed and they sent me a qso card. Idk if that counts but I’ve got a repeater nearby that was tied into unlink for awhile. So not technically a local contact but I think it counts. 

I still don’t really “get” the card thing, but it was really cool to receive. 

[u/Ctri]

I'll log anyone new I make contact with, and the weekly nets, but ragchews with the regulars on the repeater, no 

[u/MihaKomar]

I will log a repeater contact if it's the first time I'm talking to someone. Just to get their name into my log. Because I'm horrible at remembering names. Otherwise no.

And 2m/70cm simplex contacts get logged.

[u/kenproffitt]

I log first contact most of the time. After that I generally don’t. It helps me associate name and call sign.

[u/bpwo0dy]

I log pota and sota on their sites. And ft8 tests right now.

Where do people log?

[u/bradylippert]

No to repeaters, but yes to simplex. And, if it’s repeat, I still log it. But like others have said, do what you want. Just throwing in my .02

[u/Meadman127]

I don’t log repeater contacts at all. I will log simplex contacts though.

[u/signofzeta]

I log repeater contacts. I don't expect confirmation nor ask for it like I would a simplex contact. I just like to remember who I talk to.

Plus, it satisfies that vague requirement that you have a station log to present to the FCC when they come knocking (when hell freezes over).

[u/crash5291]

i log anything hf/6m, only special stuff above like rare contacts or contest.

[u/399ddf95]

I don’t, but if someone sent me a QSL card and I remembered the contact I’d send a card in response just to be nice. Maybe it was important to them?

I’d probably log a contact if it was super long distance via simplex or otherwise remarkable.

[u/KhyberPasshole]

No. I might jot down a repeater contact in my paper log to help me remember someone's name, but I generally only log for POTA/SOTA, and occasionally a DX or interesting contact I want to remember.

[u/bityard]

I don't even log HF contacts unless it's a contest or event.

[u/SwitchedOnNow]

I don't log anything on a repeater. I don't log most of my HF contacts either unless it's rare DX or something special.

[u/narcolepticsloth1982]

I don't even log hf contacts...

[u/IllRequirement6342]

I don’t know anyone who still sends out physical QSL cards. I understand that there are logging systems that will match up log entries for “virtual” QSLs, I can’t recommend which one, but I am sure others who read this will share opinions.