Bill, AA4LR wrote:
"From my experience at the NQ4I M-M, where I spent a LOT of time on the
mult stations, pointing and clicking on spots is generally an exercise in
distraction. If the band map is moderately full, you are better off tuning
up the band and picking off spots as you go. This has a two-fold purpose.
First, it allows you to find stations that have not yet been spotted (or
perhaps their spots have expired from the map). Second, when you do tune to
a spot, it’s hit or miss on how fresh it might be. Fresher spots tend to be
more competitive and it takes more time to get through, which hurts the
rate. If you are clicking on recent spots, you will waste time."
We had different NQ4I mult station experiences then Bill. It is real easy
to jump from station to station using N1MM or WinTest -- and probably
others. A key stroke combination is all it takes. You don't need to waste
time using the mouse to point and click. The hands stay on the keyboard. If
you don't get through after a call or two, move on and come back later.
Heck, Tom recently changed N1MM's M&Q list so you don't have to start going
the other direction. The M&Q window automatically loops to the beginning
after you reach the end of the spots. At the end of my time at Rick's, even
Jim, VE7ZO, would sometimes forsake running because rate was sometimes
better doing S&P while jumping from station to station. Heck, a couple
times he and I were both S&P on 40 at the same time. We even ended up on
the same freq calling the same station several times. (Amazing to me Rick's
Orion rigs were so modified they didn't blow the front ends!). I'm a little
pistol station here in SC, but it isn't unusual for me to achieve S&P rates
>100/hr for short bursts and sustained >80 for an hour or two. I don't
start turning the VFO knob until I've run through the bands using N1MM's
jump to spot assistance tools a couple-three times. Rate always drops when
I finally resort to the big knob.
Kevan N4XL
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