As has been pointed out, there is some risk that the WRTC organizers
will decide to use a format for the special callsigns of WRTC
competitors that is outside the scope of the current 3-character pattern
file that CW Skimmer and Skimmer Server use to decide whether a given
sequence of letters and numbers is, in fact, a callsign. While this
would not preclude their being spotted, if we take no action it will
make the software more "skeptical", requiring more repetitions before
spotting the call.
Here's what we're doing about it. The callsign patterns will be
announced tomorrow, Thursday, July 12 sometime after 1600 Zulu. As soon
as the pattern(s) are known, we will compare them with the current
pattern file (patt3ch.lst), and if there is a need, we will amend the
pattern file on the RBN server appropriately. We will then use every
means we can think of to remind RBN Skimmer ops of the need to check the
patt3ch.lst tab of the Aggregator. It will show when the new pattern
file is available, and offer the opportunity to download the new file,
which takes only a few seconds. You MUST then re-start Skimmer or
Skimmer Server to begin using the new pattern file, but then you'll be done.
See you all on the air this weekend.
--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
at<http://reversebeacon.net>, now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.
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