An oldie but a goodie from KR2Q: (Yes, 1994!)
From: Douglas S. Zwiebel"
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 94 09:07 EST
Subject: multi-single...new approach
Well, I guess it's time to 'fess up and take the blame/credit. Somewhere
between 15 and 20 years ago, I wrote an article in CQ magazine about
how to run a successful Multi/Single operation. If you want to look
for the article, it was written under my antique call: WB2VYA. Back
then there were no computers in homes to speak of, PacketCluster (R),
"instant band change", no tune rigs, etc. didn't exist. And just
previously, the category meant ONE RIG, MULTIPLE OPS.
That evolved into the use of the OCTOPUS (interlocking two or more
rigs so only one would be on the air at once), which was somewhat
quickly banned.
Having been assigned the task of M/S for CQ (no, I don't do that
category anymore), I quickly found many flaws in the rules and found
that additional explanations were needed. The flaws were more in the
form more of gray areas, or what some would euphemistically call
loop-holes.
Basically, I set it up so that there are two 10 minute periods. If
the "mult" station alone had a ten minute period, then the "run"
station could move all over the place at will. Or, if there were
more than two rigs on site, they could in effect OCTOPUS the run
rigs and they could work anything, even non-mult's. Don't forget, that
back then, a 10 minute band change was NOT considered a big drawback,
because it could have taken 3 or 4 minutes to change the antenna, rotate
it, tune up the rig, then tune up the amp, find the correct log (paper),
and then first try to work the guy.
Enough history. It has worked fine for many years. And yes, maybe it is
time for a change. I have looked carefully at the results to see how
m/s is faring against single op/all band and m/m, and it fits right in
where it should (as I see it). But since the advent of instant band
change, I can see how m/s (for CQ rules) can be frustrating. I think
that the idea of x band changes/hour won't work. Just think about it.
The worst problem is the "planning" of the band change per hour without
knowing what the rest of the hour will bring.
So how about this: Change the 10 minute rule to apply to only the RUN
station. This would allow ONLY MULTS to be picked up anywhere, anytime,
as they are available. Since many m/s guys run some sort of spotting,
you would have the ability to zip around anywhere. Assuming state of
the art rigs, a two transmitter m/s would be about as competitive as
a 3, 4 or 5 rig m/s. But the RUN station would have to stay put for
10 minutes. This is the ONLY way to separate m/s from m/m, if the "new"
set of rules were implemented.
I think something like this is in the cards because of what the single-ops
are now doing. If a single op can zip around from band to band on an
unlimited basis (ostensibly to pick up mults), then why shouldn't the
m/s be able to do the same? After all, it's supposed to be a category
with more "potential" than a single op.
And please don't comment on the NAME: m/s. I don't care what you want
to call it, it's the concept that I'm trying to get across.
As for WHEN the 10 minute period starts, it HAS to be based on when the
first qso gets logged. Listening time is not known and has no way to be
verified. I got a complaint one year that it took some op 9 minutes to
work the needed mult, but he had to stay there another 10 minutes, making
the 10 minute rule into a 19 minute rule for him. Sorry, no choice. And
speaking of time, I take the 10 minute rule to be 9.99 minutes, not 10.99.
I have no way of knowing during what part of the minute you worked the guy.
So if you work the guy at 2310, you can work the next guy (another band) at
2320, not 2321, as mentioned before (think it was an ON). I feel fine
about giving you the benefit of the doubt. But when it comes to mult's,
and if the NEW m/s concept is accepted, this is a moot point.
So m/s types, any comments?
de Doug/KR2Q
-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Wullaert [mailto:marc.wullaert3@pandora.be]
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 8:25 AM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] confusing rules m/s CQWW
Could someone off the m/s stations explain how the understand the rules
about the 10min timer !
Here is what I did last cqww ssb
copied from the n1mm reflector :
I was also confused by the rules before doing M/S here last CQWW SSB.
In n1mm logger the runstation (RADIO A) when starting to run on a band the
10min timer came on when logged the FIRST qso.Not if you first did S&P mode
and worked a multiplier or made a qso.
Whe used the second RADIO B only for multipliers not to make any qso.We
could switch both radios but did not.
If you make a qso( not a mult) on MULT station and the runnerstation was in
the 10min timer I ghess you are violating the rules !! NOT if you already
have pass the 10min timer.But than you have to switch radios MULT = RUNNING
and vica versa.
What is the best configuration for radio. RADIO A only running and RADIO B
only multipliers ?
if i'm not correct ,pse explain
Marc ON4MA
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|