K3KU writes:
> Then I became aware of "dueling CQs", which I thought was not so fair, but I
> accepted it when I saw that I was in the minority (see
> http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/CQ-Contest/2005-11/msg00380.html
> and the ensuing thread).
>
> However, the discussion back in August of "how to do SO2R" appears to have
> revealed a practice that I think really goes too far: sending "dummy CQs" (or
> "QRL") to keep the run freq occupied while you QSO on Radio2.
I have to take some responsibility (I think) for these concepts and terms
as I think I had a hand in creating some of the technology used to perform
these activities. I remember having the ability to do the dualing CQ
function back in the 1986 SS CW. I'd be the first to admit that this
feature does push the envelope to the point where it meets the letter of
the rules - but possibly not the intent of the rules. This was also done
when I tried to demonstrate the ability of the Z80 Op to make QSOs - thus
trying to spur on a discussion if it should therefore count as an operator.
My experience with the dualing CQ function has me almost never using it.
I will occasionally use it when "trying out" a possible new run frequency
while keeping a presence on my old one. In general, I think it isn't
very effective because it reduces your duty cycle on your run band enough
that people will tune over you - and miss you on the band.
So - for me - this isn't something I see people doing for very long.
And now for Dummy CQs:
In the context of the SS CW - I honestly don't think the term "dummy CQ"
is really appropriate (at least to how I operate). I have probably called
the CQ sent when receiving the exchange on a second radio QSO a "dummy CQ",
but it really isn't. I occasionally do get answers to these CQs - and the
software I use will recognize this if I start typing in a callsign and NOT
launch a "real" CQ. So, if I am in the middle of second radio QSO (where
I called someone calling CQ on another band) and I send a CQ while he is
sending me his exchange - I will copy your callsign while I am sending my
exchange - and while it might take me a couple of seconds to get back to
you - I will respond to your call.
In truth - again in the context of the SS CW - any "real" CQ has the
potential to become a dummy CQ - if I call someone with the second
radio during my CQ (or just after it). This will set me up to not be
able to respond to your callsign until my next CQ. You hear this a lot on
Sunday where big guns will be CQing, but their transmission stops in the
middle - and then starts up again in a few seconds. Not the best sounding
thing I admit. The more classy operators will let the CQ finish and make
sure nobody is answering before calling the other station.
This type of operation has become the status quo in the SS CW. Most of the
top operators do it without thinking about it much. I have been doing it
myself for about 15 years now.
I do like the fact that it gives you something to do while sending the 20
or so CQs you need to send on Sunday afternoon to get a new QSO. It also
rewards "getting off your butt" and working the second radio. I don't have
as much respect for someone who just presses F1 all weekend and doesn't
bother S&Ping.
I also feel it is good for the contest - as a casual operator who gets on
as fresh meat on Sunday will enjoy a solid hour or more of all the big
guns calling them. When one of my friends ends up going QRP, I always tell
them to "no call me". Then I challenge myself to find them with the second
radio.
It is true that not everyone has the resources to do this. Mostly, it
requires a second radio. A modest station with 100 watts, a tribander
and wires for 40/80 can actually do it fairly easy. In the east part of
the country, there is activity on 40 meters even during the daytime, and
that 40 meter antenna will work pretty well on 15. If you are only running
100 watts, the interference between the two radios should be minimal.
I like to put 15 or 20 second radio QSOs in the log during the first hour.
During the first part of the contest - all the stations you hear on the
second band are fresh meat. On Sunday, I will often tune through a whole
band and not hear one fresh callsign. It's a lot of work.
73 Tree N6TR
tree@kkn.net
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