Being new to digi modes, the biggest problem I've encountered is finding someone to have a qso with. It's rather difficult to try a new mode (they are all new to me!) without someone to chat with. Being new, I have a real difficult time IDing the signals, and determing the mode and setting.
I've joined multiple Yahoo groups and a few clubs. The Feld Hell Club seems quite active, and I worked their Sprint last weekend - great fun! I think having a "mode of the day" is a great idea ... ESPECIALLY if ops would post their activity on the sked and spot pages. I was really disappointed at the lack of activity on the K3UK DigitalRadio sked page, which is a VERY powerful resource. It's use really fosters extra activity. The same goes for the W6RK spot page and HamSpots.net. Digital spots on the regular web cluster are few and far between (with the exception of PSK and RTTY). IMHO, having a number of ops all working the same digi mode on the same day, AND spotting one another on the cluster AND announcing their activity on the spot/sked pages would have to generate added activity and enthusiasm. If someone is watching DxSpider and they see a bunch of spots all day long for DominoEX, perhaps they'll fire up DM780 and give it a try. Even we we don't get MOTD going, I really hope more digi ops will use the sked & spot pages. Not only do they help locatet activity, but they really help in IDing the mode. 73 Bob - K3MQ
