I really like certain contests some I operate non-assisted, some assisted,
and some at a multi. Some contests I only care to get on to hand out points
to the competitors (sort of my way of saying thanks for working me in my
favorite contests) or practicing my morse code. In these non-competitive
contests, for me, I don't want to spend much time in the shack and away
from the family. I want to quickly work those who are serious and get back
to all those other things in life that all of us have to do. In these
contests the RBN, for me, is awesome. The RBN quickly allows me to find
stations that I can hear (assuming proper filtering in my telnet program)
and get them in the log. Then I simply shut off the radio and amplifier and
get back to family life. So yes, the RBN definitely allows the competitors
more QSOs that they would not have had. Maybe only my 1-XX (depending on
band limits, etc.) but I bet there are more guys like myself who want to
maximize their time with the aide of technology.
Case in point, I added just over 1,000 new QSO's to the ARRL DX CW 2011
using only RBN skimmer spots. I had a goal of making 1,000 QSOs the
"cheating way" as some might condescendingly tell me. I recall having a
blast using this new to me technology. I am also pretty darned sure that
operator(s) PJ2T, V48M, TI5A, ZF2AM (etc) didn't mind having me in their
winning logs, numerous times, based on my coming upon them from an RBN
spotting.
See here if anyone is interested in what a 24 hour west coast operation can
do only using the RBN and no running:
http://www.n6win.com/index_files/contesting.htm
I do consent that the above doesn't help my non-assisted S&P skills. It
does, however, help my ability to fly through skimmer spots when operating
assisted or at a multi. Give and take here... everyone has their take on
how one should operate and practice. I maintain that enjoyment of my
contesting experience is the biggest thing and winning is next... but then
I haven't won the world yet to know the end game.
73,
Tim / N6WIN
http://www.n6win.com
On Sun, Aug 12, 2012 at 9:33 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>wrote:
> Ron, you misunderstood my message. Jim said he *did not want* to be
> spotted by Skimmers, so I was simply observing that so long as he followed
> his past practices, he would not be spotted very often. He says he doesn't
> want Skimmer pileups, and he doesn't have to change anything to limit
> them.
>
> As for the loss of QSOs, if he's trying to win, then it's his loss too. I
> think that the RBN has probably contributed to a useful net increase in the
> number of QSOs during the major contests, and it's hard to see why this
> rising trend doesn't benefit everyone.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> The World Contest Station Database, at www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
> reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 andarcluster.reversebeacon.net,
> port 7000
>
> On 8/12/2012 11:21 AM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:
>
> That's a pretty condescending tone Pete. I don't think Jim deserved that.
>
> So what are you trying to say? That Jim has to change his operating style
> to accommodate RBN/Skimmer technology?
>
> Because it seems to me that IF he's losing out on QSOs from those that rely
> only on or primarily on the RBN/Skimmer spotting system... that's their
> loss, not his.
>
> 73
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> <cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com>] On Behalf Of Pete Smith N4ZR
> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 6:19 AM
> To: Timothy Coker
> Cc: Jim Neiger; CQ Contest
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Reverse Beacon Network News - hopefully
> ofgeneralinterest
>
> Good point, Tim. In fact, there's another easy way. If you don't want
> to be spotted by Skimmers, don't send CQ or TEST or "UP x", because
> these are three triggers that will tell Skimmer that you're running. If
> I recall N6TJ's normal practice at ZD8Z, he won't be spotted after he
> moves to a frequency anyway, because the only thing he sends between
> QSOs is his callsign. Of course, he'll miss out on some percentage of
> QSOs with casual ops, but everything has a price.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> The World Contest Station Database, at www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog
> atreversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 andarcluster.reversebeacon.net,
> port 7000
>
> On 8/11/2012 3:09 PM, Timothy Coker wrote:
>
> Everyone has different operating preferences and preferences on whether or
> not they should be spotted. If anyone doesn't want my skimmer to spot them
> then a simple email to me with your call sign to be used can easily be
> added to the blacklist on my server so that my equipment doesn't spot you.
>
> I personally like skimmer servers (pretty obvious since I own a server)
>
> but
>
> I also understand that poor operating practices by some individuals
> utilizing the servers output can really create a mess in a hurry. However,
> good operating techniques, listening, etc. is, in my opinion, the answer
> for those who choose to play assisted or at a multi-op. No difference
>
> there
>
> when compared to when one plays unassisted. It's poor operating practices
> that create the mess... the spot just leads the poor operator(s) to the
> station running as it also leads some of the good assisted operators to
>
> the
>
> station running.
>
> 73,
>
> Tim / N6WIN
> http://www.n6win.com
>
> On Sat, Aug 11, 2012 at 10:45 AM, Jim Neiger <n6tj@sbcglobal.net>
> <n6tj@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
> Indeed. Let's make sure everyone in the pile-ups are calling on exactly
> the
> SAME FREQUENCY !! That will undoubtedly help our rates, and the number
> that
> ultimately make it into the log.
> Packet was bad enough. Your skimmer is a night-mare.
>
> Jim Neiger N6TJ
>
> p.s. I will be listening up 2 to 5 from 9Y4W in November. Pete, please
> call me exactly on my frequency; that will help clear out the pile-up
> above.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Pete Smith N4ZR" <n4zr@contesting.com> <n4zr@contesting.com>
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 5:49 AM
> To: "CQ Contest" <cq-contest@contesting.com> <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Reverse Beacon Network News - hopefully of
> generalinterest
>
>
> We've just fielded the latest release of the Aggregator - the software
> that forwards spots from RBN contributors' CW Skimmers to the RBN web
> server.
>
> I normally wouldn't announce this on a general forum like this, but the
> new Aggregator has one important breakthrough feature. Each connected
> Aggregator now receives a report every 5 minutes indicating how its
> receiver's frequency calibration is. This should be an important aid to
> keeping the frequency calibration of RBN spots as good, we hope, as the
> callsign accuracy. Please let us know what you think.
>
> --
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> The World Contest Station Database, at www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog
> atreversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 andarcluster.reversebeacon.net,
> port 7000
>
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