Below are summary rules for the RSGB 7MHz CW contest. If the CQ 160 Phone
contest isn't to your liking, please come onto 7MHz and give out some points.
DATE/TIME. 1500utc Saturday 26 February to 0900utc Sunday 27 February
SECTIONS. Single- or multi-operator. Overseas stations contact British Isles
stations (excluding EI) only.
FREQUENCY/MODE. 7.000-7.030MHz CW only.
EXCHANGE. RST and serial number starting at 001. British Isles stations
also send a three-letter county code.
SCORING. For contacts between Europe and the British Isles, 5 points.
Elsewhere 15 points. Multiplier is the total number of different county
codes worked.
LOGS. Logs must be mailed by 18 April to: RSGB HF Contests Committee,
77 Bensham Manor Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR7 7AF, UK. As an experiment,
I will accept e-mail entries. For further information send an e-mail
request to wbs@cix.compulink.co.uk. Paper logs must be accompanied by
a signed declaration, and dup sheets would also be appreciated.
Dave G4BUO
RSGB HF Contests Committee
wbs@cix.compulink.co.uk
>From AGDM25A@prodigy.com (MR KEVEN J DROST) Fri Feb 25 15:10:27 1994
From: AGDM25A@prodigy.com (MR KEVEN J DROST) (MR KEVEN J DROST)
Subject: M/S 10:00 RULE
Message-ID: <013.00384460.AGDM25A@prodigy.com>
Response to my message that " the 10:00 rule is killing the ARRL DX
multi-single class" has been about 50/50. While sympathizing with the
rule's problems, there is concern about "blowing the lid off the
multi-single class". I admit my note stated the problem without offering a
solution.
May I suggest the ARRL DX TEST adopt the well proven CQWW multi-single
10:00 rule exception? Quoting from the CQWW announcement rules....
III. TYPE of COMPETITION
2. Multi-Operator
a. Single Transmitter, only one transmitter and one band
permitted during the same time period (defined as
10 minutes)
Exception: One-and only one-other band may be used
during the same period if-and only if-the station
worked is a new multiplier. Logs found in violation
of the ten-minute rule will be automatically reclassified
as multi-multi to reflect their actual status.
In the CQWW multi-single, the ability to QSY for a new mult gets other team
members involved in the activity by scanning a 2nd band with a spotting
reciever or 2nd rig. Speaking for myself, I really enjoy hunting for new
mults. Its really challenging to make every QSO count. Kinda like going
for 77/77 in the ARRL SS.
Currently there is nothing for other team members to do during a ARRL DX
M/S. A couple weeks ago in the "What got you started in contesting"
topic, many ops responded that it was a multi-op activity. This one minor
"tweak" of the 10:00 rule would open-up the M/S class and getting more ops
involved and active in contesting...
73, Kevin WA8ZDT
>From H. Ward Silver" <hwardsil@seattleu.edu Fri Feb 25 15:32:53 1994
From: H. Ward Silver" <hwardsil@seattleu.edu (H. Ward Silver)
Subject: multi-single lite
Message-ID: <Pine.3.07.9402250753.C18048-b100000@bach>
It seems that the CQ WW m/s definition is the most open...sort of
m/s-unlimited. I like the idea, however, of a m/s-"lite" (if you will),
in which a crew is limited to one, and only one, transmitter...period.
Not one-at-a-time, not one-on-a-band, but one. As many receivers as you
want, but only one rig does any transmitting. It can move like crazy,
jumping to mults, running, etc. But no second transmitter ever. Of
course, if your main rig goes down, you can replace it.
When someone says "Multioperator, single transmitter", that's what I think
of. Maybe I don't have the correct amount of imagination on this issue,
hi.
I'm not opposed to the CQ WW definition, really. It just seems that we're
talking about two different modes of operation. Rather than trying to
make ARRL be like CQ WW, why not emphasize the differences and provide a
maximum amount of variety during the contest season?
Also, I'd like to see more of the multi-two/low-power classes, such as for
NAQP for stations without amps or unable to use them. Not a burning
desire, but fun when I get to do it (Aug and Jan).
73, Ward N0AX
hwardsil@seattleu.edu
>From draperbl <draperbl@smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov> Fri Feb 25 14:45:49 1994
From: draperbl <draperbl@smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov> (draperbl)
Subject: results of AGC survey
Message-ID: <9402250845.A09782@smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov.>
WOW! I was surprised at the number (>30 from 3 continents)
and quality of the responses to my survey question about the
use of AGC for CW contesting. But I was even more surprised
by the outcome -- two thirds of the folks who responded use
NO AGC in many if not all conditions! Here's the breakdown:
Always use AGC: 35%
Sometimes turn it off: 50%
Never use AGC: 15%
And if you're thinking "the guys who don't use AGC are the
old-timers who aren't hard-core contesters and are still
stuck in the 1950s," think again. Some of the no-AGC gang
have calls that you've seen regularly in the top 5 of the
SS, CQWW, Sprint, and ARRL DX contests in the last several
years. Read all of the comments carefully and you'll learn
something, I bet.
After reading the messages, I think what many of these guys
are saying is that we need radios with AGC circuit response
that isn't so flat -- we need to add "depth" to the band
under many circumstances. And that depth can't come
entirely from pitch/frequency differences, some of it should
be derived from amplitude differences. That kind of circuit
won't take care of noise and pumping problems, of course
(turn it OFF!), but it would make most operating better.
Anyway, here are the edited comments (I've removed the calls
'cuz that's the way I think it should be). To those of you
who responded, thanks for sharing your ideas.
73,
Bruce AA5B
draperbl@smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov
___________________________________________________________
Most of the time I leave it on, but I am always alert to
times that the sensitivity is being degraded by a strong
signal somewhere nearby as evidenced by AGC pumping. Then I
immediately turn it off.
Always use AGC.
I tried this in the ARRL DX. I think that it works. When
the piles got tough I just turned the AGC off and backed off
the RF gain.
I have been licensed for 35 of my 50 years and remember well
when AGC on receivers hardly worked. Turning it off and
riding the RF gain is a good technique even now when modern
rigs have AGC circuits that do their intended job very well.
If you think about the fact that the whole idea of AGC is to
reduce the apparent differences between signals of different
levels you begin to realize that if a 20-over signal and an
S-3 signal are heard at about the same apparent level when
in the clear you have no problem . . . but put both in your
passband at the same time and there is a challenge. With
less, or no AGC you hear one very loud signal and one much
weaker signal . . . and although you may get a headache
doing it, your brain can be trained to ignore the loud
signal and copy the weaker one . . . with AGC on, the weaker
one might be totally masked by the gain reduction needed to
lower the level of the strong signal. As I have gotten
lulled by the nice performance of my modern xcvr I sometimes
forget that my brain can do a better job under some condx if
I will just defeat the AGC and try it.
After seeing the W3LPL note I began testing with no AGC on
my FT1000 and found it to be useful when signals are close
to or down in a fluctuating noise level that is activating
the AGC. Another use seems to be when key clicks from
strong adjacent signals just out of the passband are
activating the AGC and masking weak signals.
It has to do with not wanting to listen to noise that is as
loud as any station you will hear. Bringing the RF gain
down will increase the dynamic range of what you are
hearing, so if a signal is above the noise, it won't be at
the same audio level.
You are missing something (if you always use AGC) . . .
Yes, but usually when my DSP noise eliminator can't take
care of static crashes on 40 thru 160.
Great survey question! I've noticed the same thing. I
pretty much keep AGC on fast all of the time, and never turn
it off. I also generally keep the RF gain wide open, though
I've seen a lot of world-class ops really ride it on the low
bands. I know I've read more than once that keeping the
volume level up in the headphones and turning AGC off is an
unhealthy combination, and I'd sure like to still be able to
copy the weak ones when I'm 85 (if there's anyone left on
the planet who knows the code in 2050).
I agree with you. I have found very few cases where turning
off the AGC helps. I do run with fast AGC and back down the
RF gain to keep signals down in the range where the rcvr can
handle them.
You bet, running without the agc on my FT1000 has its
advantages! Was taught this method 40+ years ago by my
Elmer. Oddly, it's difficult to explain why, though. The
receiver is quieter, certainly. A disadvantage is getting
your ears/head blasted by strong signals.
I find myself turning the AGC off frequently. I do this
primarily on 80 and 160, and almost never on any band above
40m, where I do it once in awhile. Probably sounds weird . .
. . but it works.
AGC off is the preferred method. Another factor is one's
ability to separate signals by level. Modern agc systems
are so flat that everyone sounds the same in a pile up.
This makes it difficult to distinguish callers. Turning off
the agc will add depth to the pile up (of stations calling
you) and make it easier to pick out who you want (weak or
strong).
I always leave the agc off on CW. This allows aural
differentiation by signal strength of multiple signals in
the passband. For example, if you call cq and two guys call
you, one of whom is loud and the other not so loud, agc
compression will make them sound identical. When the loud
guy is not sending, the weak guy will sound like the loud
guy because the rx gain will increase. With the agc off,
the loud guy stays loud, and the weak guy stays weak,
allowing you to pick out either one.
AGC on. Turned to min position.
I use AGC. I also bathe regularly.
I prefer to use the AGC.
I always use *fast* AGC. Never turn it off. Saving my ears
is more important than pulling QSOs out of the noise.
I ran hundreds of piss weak stations on 10 meter scatter
this weekend from 6D2X with the AGC turned off.
Funny that you posted this request. During this past
weekend's ARRL DX CW from K5OJI, I used the "no agc"
technique on numerous occasions to copy weak stations that
were just at or slightly above the noise on a '940. Only
used this on the low bands. This trick did not work at all
during Saturday night's thunderstorms.
When the signals really get weak, you can turn off the AGC
and pull them out of the noise a little easier. I do this
occasionally, and in fact managed to pull some weak ones out
over this past weekend this way. I usually switch back and
forth between fast AGC and AGC off. I don't usually turn
down the RF gain, however.
At present, I use AGC-fast for phone and NO AGC for CW. I
think the problem is the effect of QRM on AGC.
Yeah. Old timer's secret to reducing the effect of static
crashes on weaker sigs. Let your ears do the work.
Obviously, you shouldn't do this for the entire 48 hours, or
you'll end up slowly going deaf, like I am, with tinnitus.
If you have a big pileup going, turning off the AGC and
turning down the RF gain cuts it down to just the loud ones.
As the pileup thins out, turn the RF gain back up and then
the AGC. Saves blasting your ears and brain with too much
extraneous garbage.
If you do not have a close in very strong signal, you may
never notice the advantage of shutting off the AGC and
"riding the RF gain". This is particularly important on 80
and 160m when noise crashes will pull the agc, and weak
signals then disappear. Disadvantage, it can be tiring
and/or hazardous to your eardrums! You are not limiting the
amplitude of the crashes except through audio amp
distortion. On my main rig, I will work without agc only
during lightning QRN or when a station is close and strong
enough to pull the AGC.
Tried turning AGC off years ago, didn't like it, so run in
AGC FAST in both CW and SSB.
I seems to me that AGC compresses the dynamic range, which
is not good.
Yes, Bruce, you're missing something. There are often
circumstances under which AGC is a severe handicap. This
applies mostly to CW, yet sometimes to fone.
For 35 years of hamming I NEVER used the AGC on CW, but
always rode the RF gain manually to hear weaker signals.
Then I got an OMNI VI last year, and now ALWAYS leave fast
AGC on except when trying to hear a very weak station in a
non-contest pile up.
I am sometimes turning the AGC off when there is lots of QRM
from a nearby station which would modulate my AGC.
I always operate with the AGC turned ON. And I always turn
on much more attenuation than the other operators.
>From Trey Garlough <GARLOUGH@TGV.COM> Fri Feb 25 16:07:00 1994
From: Trey Garlough <GARLOUGH@TGV.COM> (Trey Garlough)
Subject: M/S 10:00 RULE
Message-ID: <762192420.98115.GARLOUGH@TGV.COM>
> Response to my message that " the 10:00 rule is killing the ARRL DX
> multi-single class" has been about 50/50. While sympathizing with the
> rule's problems, there is concern about "blowing the lid off the
> multi-single class". I admit my note stated the problem without offering a
> solution.
For newcomers, I would like to offer that the ARRL M/1 and M/2 vs. CQWW M/S
thread comes around every so often. Let me summarize the major points:
o All three of the categories have a ten minute rule: This means a station
must stay on a band for ten minutes before making a contact on another
band. The point is to keep a six radio setup from dominating the
one-transmitter class by use of an interleaving capability (one type of
implementation is known as an "octupus") to quickly hop around making
contacts on six bands at once, even though only one signal is on the
air at any one moment.
o ARRL M/1: This is the classic "a few guys take turns operating the radio"
setup. Several guys, one rig.
o ARRL M/2: The is just like M/1, only one more. A group of guy have two
rigs, and knock themselves out all weekend operating. Each rig must
stay on a band for 10 minutes before changing to a new band.
o CQWW M/S: You could also call this "M/2 limited" or "M/1+". Station #1,
known as the "run station" knocks himself out just like in M/1. Station
#2, known as the "mult station" knocks himself out working guys just like
the run station, execpt he is only allowed to make contacts with stations
that are new multipliers.
I believe the ten minute rule has been a good thing and has helped level
the playing field some with issues both factual and imagined in these
categories. However, it creates a dilemma of its own: What if you are
running guys like crazy on 20 meters, and a KP4 on 160 is announced on
packet. Obviously you want to QSY to 160 and bag the mult, then make
a quick move back to 20. Unfortunately you have to wait nine minutes
before going back. This is very frustrating, and people don't like it.
On the other hand, some people refer to this as strategy, and say it's
a good thing. Managing this decision process well can be enough of an
edge to beat a similarly equipped competitor.
Two alternatives to the ten minute rule are often suggested: 1) changing
to a "five minute rule" and 2) changing to a "n band changes per hour
rule". If n were six, then we would have something similar to the current
situation, where you can change bands every ten minutes. 60 minutes
divided by ten minutes per change equals six changes.
The other main arguments go like this:
"CQWW M/S isn't fair because I am not equipped to have two stations on the
air at once. How dare they refer to this as single transmitter competition.
It should be changed to the ARRL M/1 format so I can be more competitive."
"ARRL M/1 is really annoying becuase the ten minute rule makes your
multiplier total suffer. CQWW M/S is king because you can rack up a
huge multiplier and chase all the guys on contest expeditions, you can
get everyone involved listening on the other bands, and these are the
key points of the contest that make it enjoyable. The ARRL really needs
to do something about this lame M/1 category."
And now for my own personal opinion: I think it's great that there is
a variety of choices. If you like the M/1 format better, then focus
on the ARRL contest. If you prefer the CQWW M/S format, then make CQWW
the focal point of your activity. Both categories have something to
offer, so enjoy them both. Some people have this mistaken notion that
there is a true optimal set of contest rules, and that all sponsors
should converge on the true set of best rules. Wrong. Relax. Enjoy the
variety.
As for the ten minute rule, it's hard to say. Maybe there is a better way
of doing things, and the options should be considered, but I consider this
to be a minor tweak that shouldn't really affect the true flavor of the
M/1 and M/S categories.
--Trey, WN4KKN/6
>From tree@cmicro.com (Larry Tyree) Fri Feb 25 17:01:31 1994
From: tree@cmicro.com (Larry Tyree) (Larry Tyree)
Subject: AGC
Message-ID: <9402251701.AA19020@cmicro.com>
One thing to remember, you don't have to turn off your AGC to get the
advantages of "riding the RF gain". You can still leave it on, and when
a very strong signal comes on, it will not blow you out of your chair.
However, until a signal gets over the level of the AGC, it is just as if
it was off.
If you are new to this, try adjusting the AGC to slightly above your
noise level on the low bands and see how it works for you. If you feel
you are missing weak signals, turn up the AF gain and if you can hear
the band noise, you aren't missing anything.
Tree N6TR
>From Ham <batchler@PICA.ARMY.MIL> Fri Feb 25 19:41:16 1994
From: Ham <batchler@PICA.ARMY.MIL> (Ham)
Subject: TR-9000 Help
Message-ID: <9402251441.aa18489@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL>
I have become the owner of a used Kenwood TR-9000
It works well in the FM mode, the CW mode, it keys the transmit light in
the usb,lsb mode but no power out, it dose receive in the ssb modes.
I think it's as simple as a switching transistor in the mike or ssb path
but I have no books to check it out. Any info-advice would be appreciated
Pse only direct replyes.
TNX-IN-ADV
THE BEAT GOES ON
Laing KB3TS
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