I was interested in Charles Harpole's comments about the "loss of the joy
of discovery" that may result from using spotting networks during a
contest. I am a long-time "little pistol" stuck with a vertical and an
end-fed long wire for all HF bands. The only thing that keeps me in the
game is a linear (anything radiates if you put enough power into it!). I am
fairly slow to adopt new technology and have been ambivalent about using
spotting networks. For one thing, I can't hear most of the stations that
are listed. As a result of my set up, I rely on S&P through the majority of
a contest.
Harpole's comments resonated with me because one of the things that still
thrills me is "discovering" a rare station calling CQ Test (often high up
in the band on CW) that hasn't (yet) attracted a pile up. It is the
complete serendipity that makes for the kind of reinforcement to keep
tuning around. It seems that spotting networks spoil a lot of the fun on 2
levels - they take away the "surprise" element and they create pileups that
make it hard for "little pistols" to crack in a contest situation.
I think "non-spotters" should get a differential multiplier if we stick to
that during a contest.
Mark, W9MS
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