this one. Precisely, give it some time. I'm not 'hooked' on FT-X contesting, but it can only improve with time. Whether the improvements will be enough to make it sustainable in the long run is what
But there is a major problem when the contest committee tell us that they had to waive the NIL penalty because otherwise a large number of stations would end up with a negative score. Furthermore the
Hi Peter, That's a valid concern, and the excerpt from the committee message you quoted should 'buy' all critics some time: "For the FT mode it is not yet clear where the fault is..." Read the preced
That whole problem has to do with what constitutes a completed contact. Some insist on a 73 both ways. I get NIL from quite a few in regular FT8 (non contest) as they insist on the final additional 7
This is certainly a big part of the problem, and as implied, not caused by the contest. Some may still be using old versions of the software that won't pick up the sequence from the RR73. Others are
Hi Vince, The problem with software versions has been largely mitigated as the old protocol with 1.x is now obsolete and incompatible with 2.x so upgrades were essentially forced. 1.9 had the old 75
I stand corrected on the software part. Thanks, Ria. The only explanation possible then is 'bad attitude'. :^) An even greater hobby! Vince, VA3VF The problem with software versions has been largely
It seems to me that VA3VF is sitting on the fence. It is clear that, in ham radio, there are two basic classes of contest operators, drivers and passengers. Drivers decode other transmissions thems
Peter, Good comments. The problem with the NILs is this: If you reply to my CQ, giving an RST and I reply to you with RR and an RST, but I dont hear your RR73......did you send it and I didnt hear it
Very well stated, Stan. Thank you! Will it change minds? Not likely. To the WW-Digi Committee: Please continue with your good work. It needs more time to bear fruit. If it does not work out in the en
I saw someone note also that he had worked "A Canadian airport." I asked if it was YYZ and didn't get a response to that yet. I don't think Neil Peart was a ham, but the beginning of the Rush song YY
Third class..... Those former contesters who have grown tired of the on line bitching, complaining and accusations; and now given up on contesting , reverting back to a more simple and relaxing style
I was a vigorous participator in the CQ WW Digi and have some thoughts about the high NIL rate. First of all - I was not at all surprised. I work with some DXpedition QSL managers and they have been
As is CW. I think I get your point, and if so, I agree. Another case of nomenclature becoming the issue. Easy to fix though. FTx(so called digital) QSOs? Most contests' so called QSOs are actually c
QSO means a communication. It doesnt mean that you have a conversation. A signal report or typical contest traffic is a communication. Ria N2RJ _______________________________________________ CQ-Cont
Not by today's practical standards. Otherwise, why are FT-x 'communication' not considered a QSO by the 'experts'? I guess we'll get into the computer to computer stuff again. I'll pass. Let it be kn
Good thoughts, Tim. The thing is that it is not the computer that actually decides whether or not to log the Q. If the other party sends 73, then the computer will ask if you want to log it. In conte
I completely agree with your comments, although I think the "FT8 Kool-Aid" slam is unwarranted. But as I have said before, it's not the mode (FT8 or FT4) that is the problem ... it's the fact that WS
I strongly disagree with this analysis, Tim. There are other more likely causes, like RX noise, or poorly set up audio levels that causes weaker signals to fall below the level of the A/D converter i
Here are Tim's comments on the subject. " I used YYZ as a tribute to Rush drummer Neil Peart who lost his life to cancer last Friday. The band heard the Toronto Airport code YYZ on a navigation beaco