As another "minor league software developer" watching the CT bug
discussion with some interest, I want to find out what it takes to
get contesters to simply try a different software product. I know
from personal experience that its NOT enough to:
1. advertise in NCJ
2. send you a demo floppy with an SASE requesting your comments (20
of you requested such from me last May and ZERO responded)
3. switch to shareware
4. hand carry copies to some of you
Might it actually be in your best interest to give a little feedback
to the masochistic non-conformist developers once in a while? Otherwise
you'll never have anything better than CT.
Wayne
W5XD@delphi.com
>From XMSJ29A@prodigy.com (MR JAMES A WHITE) Wed Feb 2 02:16:02 1994
From: XMSJ29A@prodigy.com (MR JAMES A WHITE) (MR JAMES A WHITE)
Subject: Miami Tropical Hamboree
Message-ID: <025.00285023.XMSJ29A@prodigy.com>
CONTESTERS ATTENDING THE TROPICAL HAMBOREE IN MIAMI THIS WEEKEND:
You are cordially invited to attend an impromptu
get together of the Florida CW Contest Group.
Dinner on Saturday night...look for K1ZX for details
I will be S&P- ing in the flea market most of
Saturday (that's sourcing and pleading) and
will be at the prize ticket stub bin at noon
>From Patty Winter <winter@apple.com> Wed Feb 2 06:34:44 1994
From: Patty Winter <winter@apple.com> (Patty Winter)
Subject: New Hams/Contesting
Message-ID: <9402020634.AA23150@apple.com>
I remember one of the first times I got interested in amateur radio
was when a local radio club set up shop for Field Day right at
the Menlo Park civic center. Now most clubs around here go to sites
that are better for big antennas and good propagation but much worse
for public contact.
So one thing contesters could do to entice more new blood would be
to operate in public places. You wouldn't have to do this with the
contest you most want to win. :-) If possible, print up some
information to hand out to passersby. (I have some sample handouts
I'd be happy to send to anyone who's interested.) It's also nice to
have one or two spare people to talk to visitors.
Patty N6BIS
p.s. Mark is completely correct that people cannot operate outside
of their own privileges if they're going to be working countries
with whom we don't have third-party agreements. It may not be enforced
very often, but it is an FCC rule.
>From Keskinen Petri <oh3mep@cc.tut.fi> Wed Feb 2 08:38:21 1994
From: Keskinen Petri <oh3mep@cc.tut.fi> (Keskinen Petri)
Subject: Free logging software
Message-ID: <9402020838.AA20965@cc.tut.fi>
>
>
> I have decided to make Version 4.05 of the N6TR Logging Software public
> domain. You can download it from the BBS at (503) 658-6116. You will also
> find documentation in ASCII and Word for Windows format. This version of
> the software is only one rev old and was used by half of the top six
> stations in the 1993 CQ WW CW contest.
Hello! Is there anyone who could help me getting this software?
I sure can't afford calling any BBS in US with my 1200Baud modem.
So can it be found on some ftp-site or could someone mail it to me?
I can also send a floppy via airmail with SASE if that's a good way.
Tnx in advance!
Pete
**************************** oh3mep@cc.tut.fi ****************************
* Petri Keskinen * Kitiniitynkatu 7a3 * 33850 Tampere * Finland * Europe *
***************************** oh3mep@oh3rce *****************************
>From hatcher_d <hatcher_d@bt-web.bt.co.uk> Wed Feb 2 10:52:24 1994
From: hatcher_d <hatcher_d@bt-web.bt.co.uk> (hatcher_d)
Subject: CT vs ...
Hi All,
With the ongoing CT vs everything else thread, I thought I'd add my 2
pence worth.
Various contributors to the reflector have rightly suggested that with
increased complexity and functionality comes increased probibility of
software problems or "bugs". As a commercial developer, the method
that we use to overcome this is three-fold:
(1) Strive for zero-defects in the generation of the source code. This
means applying techniques to write good quality code, first time.
(2) Employ first and second software testing and acceptance teams.
(3) Do regression testing using automated testing tools.
We find it works for us, since our bug-rates are thankfully quite good
(but then we spend an awful lot of pounds achieving this).
For CT, which is now a large and well-featured product, it could be
possible to do the above, but it would take time and money. Ken, K1EA,
has already asked _us_ about details and ideas for CT 9.xx.
As an aside, for the "spaghetti" arguement, from what I've seen of the
source code, it is "tight" and well-optimised.
IMHO, the crux of the matter is that we cannot tell Ken what to write
and how to write it (we have to ask _very_ nicely). But, what we could
do to help Ken and our fellow conteters, is be part of a good
beta-test programme for version 9.xx. One that fully pushes the new
(and old) features to the "edge of the envelope". Is there any
mechanism like this in place already? (which at the moment seems to
be, wait for a major contest and use it!) Or in the end is it really
worth going to these lengths?
Comments?
Darren
= Darren Hatcher - G7BKO =
= Packet : G7BKO @ GB7DXM.#36.GBR.EU =
= Internet : hatcher_d@bt-web.bt.co.uk =
= Voice : +44 473 227332 =
= Data : +44 473 227259 =
= Fax : +44 473 231727 =
>From Dubberstein Steve" <dubberstein_steve@msmailer.hkimd.cig.mot.com Wed Feb
> 2 10:45:31 1994
From: Dubberstein Steve" <dubberstein_steve@msmailer.hkimd.cig.mot.com
(Dubberstein Steve)
Subject: Incentive
Message-ID: <9402030109.AA23791@hkcmpc1.hkimd.cig.mot.com>
There has been much discussion on the reflector as of late concerning the drop
in JA activity and regionalized reporting. I provide here a view from Asia
that I hope will be enlightening.
You think it is hard to compete from the Midwest or West Coast? Try Japan.
JA's are far from everything, especially 3-pointers. Propagation from JA
stinks. Their chance of making any box in any results are almost nil. There
is no "Asia" section in the CQWW results like the USA and Europe have. They
don't have many other Asian stations to work. And a JA is perhaps the least
respected QSO in a contest. Do you always answer when a JA is CQing? How many
of you would "move" to another band to give a JA station a mult if asked? Not
many, I believe. There is little incentive for Japanese stations to contest.
Maybe after being the doormat of contesting for 10 years with no reasonable
chance at an award or recognition, they just got sick of it and did something
else.
Remember SS a few years ago? A fading contest with declining participation.
Then some genius thought of Clean Sweep mugs and 200 QSO pins. The result: a
big jump in participation and record scores every year. The solution for JA
activity? Give them a chance for respect by offering an Asian breakdown in the
CQ results; and offer some incentive awards similar to SS, with a fee if
necessary. You will be surprised at the results. Is it not a coincidence that
European activity in CQWW has picked up at the same time CQ offered a section
of results for Europe?
I admire Jose CT1BOH for his suggestion on modifying contest scoring and his
insight into the Asian contest situation. Japan is teeming with excellent
contesters. Look at the record-breaking Oceania M/M operation from KH0AM in
CQWW CW last year and the (#1 world?) AH0K M/M operation in CQWW CW this year.
Both were 100% JA manned operations. Imagine what would happen to activity
from this part of the world with Jose's suggested scoring modifications, an
Asian results section in CQ, and a simple incentive award similar to SS. Watch
out if we are ever so lucky to have all these become reality.
And what harm could possibly come from dividing the USA into three or four
areas for comparison of competitive results for domestic and DX contests? The
top-10 box for the USA can of course remain. Extra reporting for regions would
only increase participation and competition by allowing all stations in the USA
to have a reasonable shot at recognition and respect. Why does the NFL have
regional divisions? Why does the NFL not just report the top ten teams in a
single listing? Think about it. For those who complain that others whine too
much, or one should get a new job and move to another part of country in order
to have a chance at contest recognition (of all things!), or that nothing
should be changed at all: These suggestions do little to improve the "market"
for contesting.
On a more personal note, my station has fielded Multi/Multi operations for the
last two CQWW seasons. None of these efforts had less than 8000 QSO's. One
last year broke the Asian M/M CW record by three million points. But yet this
same effort was insufficient to make ANY box in the CQWW results; as will be
this year's efforts. Scoring with CT1BOH's suggestion would put these efforts
in a world box. Making an Asian reporting section in CQ would put us at the
top of an Asian M/M listing. But neither of these exist now; so VS6WO can be
found buried on the last page of the CQWW results on a single line. Something
is wrong when a continental record is broken by three million points but cannot
make any box in the CQWW results. What incentive do I have to keep doing these
M/M efforts? Believe me, they are a lot of work and not cheap to pull off. Do
I enjoy it? Yes, of course; but that is not enough. There must be incentive,
especially with declining sunspots. Some incentive changes need to be made if
you want to see more Asian stations in CQ contests, or a Multi/Multi station
from Hong Kong to work every year on all bands.
regards, steve VS6WO/NA9D
>From len@ariel.coe.neu.edu (Leonard Kay) Wed Feb 2 12:27:22 1994
From: len@ariel.coe.neu.edu (Leonard Kay) (Leonard Kay)
Subject: CT vs. ???
Message-ID: <9402021227.AA02715@ariel.coe.neu.edu>
>>I don't suppose this situation is likely to change , and so will continue to
>>use CT versions that are at least three or four revs earlier than the
>>current one, so that bugs -- at least bugs I care about -- are discovered by
>>someone else. Meanwhile, I have just begun experimenting with N6TR's
>>software, which is commendably compact and easy to use on the air, though
>>painfully lacking in post-contest creature comforts.
Gee, exactly what CT (or any new program) was about 5 years ago..... Now, of
course,
people will ask for more features, and it'll get buggy, and people will start
complaining about it, so everyone will start using some new program which is
compact
and easy to use but lacking in creature comforts, so, of course, people will
ask for
more features, and it'll get buggy, and..... :-)
>>
>>73, Pete N4ZR
Len KB2R
>From Jim Reisert AD1C 02-Feb-1994 0807 <reisert@wrksys.enet.dec.com> Wed Feb
> 2 13:01:20 1994
From: Jim Reisert AD1C 02-Feb-1994 0807 <reisert@wrksys.enet.dec.com> (Jim
Reisert AD1C 02-Feb-1994 0807)
Subject: CT vs ...
Message-ID: <9402021301.AA05310@us1rmc.bb.dec.com>
Darren, G7BKO wrote:
>But, what we could
>do to help Ken and our fellow conteters, is be part of a good
>beta-test programme for version 9.xx. One that fully pushes the new
>(and old) features to the "edge of the envelope".
This is unfortunately a Catch-22. The best way to test the software is to
use it during a contest. However, who wants to trust their log to a program
that might have some bugs in it?
With Ken's blessing, I hope to use a beta copy of Version 9 during both ARRL
weekends, both multi-op. However, there's no way we'll find everything
that's broken, and if the software starts to give us trouble, then it's back
to an older version (winning is more important). I encourage other big guns
to ask Ken to do the same. ARRL DX and WPX SSB are the only really big
contests where CT can be tested before it's released.
73 - Jim AD1C
>From barry@w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) Tue Feb 1 02:29:40 1994
From: barry@w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) (Barry Kutner)
Subject: QSL habits
Message-ID: <6FR2gc1w165w@w2up.wells.com>
As one who has become more active in contesting over the last
few years, I am getting inundated with QSLs via the buro. I am
curious about the QSL habits of active contesters.
1. Do you reply to contest buro cards?
2. All or selectively?
3. Do you use CT or some other method?
4. If you don't answer the cards, do you feel it hurts your score
by having a bunch of "pissed off" Europeans not answer you?
Any other comments appreciated. Please reply to me, rather than
the Reflector, and I will summarize replies (if you don't want your
call or name in reply, let me know). Thanks de Barry
Barry N. Kutner, W2UP Usenet/Internet: barry@w2up.wells.com
Newtown, PA Packet Radio: W2UP @ WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA.NA
Packet Cluster: W2UP >K2TW (FRC)
.......................................................................
>From H. Ward Silver" <hwardsil@seattleu.edu Wed Feb 2 14:45:51 1994
From: H. Ward Silver" <hwardsil@seattleu.edu (H. Ward Silver)
Subject: Contest/Expedition Radios
Message-ID: <Pine.3.07.9402020648.A3967-8100000@bach>
I've been very happy with my FT-990, although I bought the one without the
AC supply. Other than that, it meets your criteria. The receiver is VERY
good. As the ever-present second choice, hats off to the IC735.
Ward N0AX
hwardsil@seattleu.edu
>From jds@bncic01.den.bnr.com (James D. Spaulding) Wed Feb 2 15:18:46 1994
From: jds@bncic01.den.bnr.com (James D. Spaulding) (James D. Spaulding)
Subject: No subject
Message-ID: <9402021518.AA18256@bncic01.den.bnr.com>
Is there anyone on the reflector who can steer me to an expert on transmission
line noise? I have a chronic problem with a 230 KV transmission line. The
investigator for the utility is a ham and, between us, we feel we have
identified the problem to within two components which are only a few inches
apart. In order to preserve the investigator's credibility with his
employer, I would like to review what we've found with an expert. As in
information, the problem seems to emanate from the points where jumpers
attach to the transmission line at corner poles. The noise is always present
with winds greater than 10 MPH and is gone if winds are less than 10 MPH and
humidities greater than about 60 percent. There is physical evidence
indicating either the jumper itself or the fittings which attach it to
the transmission line. The transmission line ends of the fittings are thick
with black contamination. As the humidity increases, the spark noise goes
away and, I assume, corona begins. Can anyone help? Please send replies
directly to me at jds@bncic01.den.bnr.com
73
Jim
W0UO
>From Skelton, Tom" <TSkelton@engineer.clemsonsc.NCR.COM Wed Feb 2 16:53:00
>1994
From: Skelton, Tom" <TSkelton@engineer.clemsonsc.NCR.COM (Skelton, Tom)
Subject: FW: Free logging software
Message-ID: <2D4FDA84@admin.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM>
Everybody hold off. I'm letting Petri know by this email now that
I'll ship a disk to him.73, Tom
Petri: It's on the way today. I am getting the last file this morning.
----------
From: oh3mep
To: tree
Cc: cq-contest
Subject: Re: Free logging software
>
>
> I have decided to make Version 4.05 of the N6TR Logging Software public
> domain.
Hello! Is there anyone who could help me getting this software?
I sure can't afford calling any BBS in US with my 1200Baud modem.
So can it be found on some ftp-site or could someone mail it to me?
I can also send a floppy via airmail with SASE if that's a good way.
Tnx in advance!
Pete
>From clay rudolf <rtclay@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> Wed Feb 2 15:58:19 1994
From: clay rudolf <rtclay@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> (clay rudolf)
Subject: Contest/Expedition Radios
Message-ID: <Pine.3.05.9402020918.A26860-b100000@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
As a user of an IC-735 (my dad bought the radio in '85), I have a few
comments:
-it has an excellent receiver, although doesn't have some of the
newer features (such as adjustable CW pitch).
-don't get the internal keyer...the speed range I operate in most
contests (30-35 WPM) just doesn't exist on the tiny speed control. It
might be possible to fix this by fiddling around with some resistors
inside the rig. It is impossible to use both the internal keyer and CT
without modifying the radio (ie. there is only one key/paddle jack).
-I have had one rather serious problem with it (it just started
showing up in the last few years): one of the VCO's tends to go unstable
as the radio warms up, causing TX/RX signals to get noisy and eventually
quit completely. (This is why I sounded lousy on 20m, Tree). My dad had it
serviced once, but the problem came back. I know of one other 735 owner in
Urbana here who has experienced the same problem. I'm curious if there are
any other reflector members who have seen this problem? I first
experienced this problem on all bands below 8 Mhz, although now it is
showing up on 14 Mhz.
R. Torsten Clay, N4OGW n4ogw@uiuc.edu
On Wed, 2 Feb 1994, H. Ward Silver wrote:
> I've been very happy with my FT-990, although I bought the one without the
> AC supply. Other than that, it meets your criteria. The receiver is VERY
> good. As the ever-present second choice, hats off to the IC735.
> Ward N0AX
> hwardsil@seattleu.edu
>
>
>From David R. Frey" <DFREY@isc.scarolina.edu Wed Feb 2 11:27:44 1994
From: David R. Frey" <DFREY@isc.scarolina.edu (David R. Frey)
Subject: New Hams/Contesting
Message-ID: <1D5EFE3277E@isc.scarolina.edu>
Patty writes:
> I remember one of the first times I got interested in amateur radio
> was when a local radio club set up shop for Field Day right at
> the Menlo Park civic center. Now most clubs around here go to sites
> that are better for big antennas and good propagation but much
> worse for public contact.
>
> So one thing contesters could do to entice more new blood would be
> to operate in public places. You wouldn't have to do this with the
> contest you most want to win. :-)
Oh how I wish some club had been more "exposed" when I was a kid.
I can only imagine what a thrill it would have been to watch seasoned
ops during a contest or Field Day. The bug would have bitten MUCH
sooner, and 'course CW would have been easier to master before the
learning curve started its downward spiral. :->
73,
David, AD4HM
>From tree@cmicro.com (Larry Tyree) Wed Feb 2 17:28:47 1994
From: tree@cmicro.com (Larry Tyree) (Larry Tyree)
Subject: Testing software
Message-ID: <9402021728.AA22135@cmicro.com>
Here is my 2 cents worth (or 50 cents worth if you are paying for this).
Over the past couple years of adding features and creating bugs, I have
tried to add features that help verify a new version of the software.
First off, a simulator for the major contests was added allowing you to
work random stations and see how they were logged. The next step was to
make the simulator work itself so you can run up big contest scores while
you are sleeping in bed. A recently added step is to let the program
use a log file from some previous contest as input for re-working the
contest (including the exchanges). This feature allowed my new version
of the program to re-work the CQ WW from TI1C (with 6475 QSOs) in about
eight hours. Comparing the final scores between the old version and the
new one with .CTY files is a great way to see how things are working.
All of these testing procedures are available to the end user so they can
also get confidence in a new version before the contest. Of course, there
are still things that can't really be tested, but there is a lot more
that can still be done before we reach the limit.
Tree N6TR
|