A little OT, but my soap box is right here and has been unused recently:
I have also resigned from contest participation. Whether its the newer
versions of radios or the attitude of the operators, the end result is
that contests have become cut-throat and obsessive.
It used to be fun for me -- the days of using a paper log and resulting
good sportsmanship. The start of the end was computerized log checking,
where every contact was suspected fraud unless it could be verified by
appearance in another log. Many contacts were disqualified when other
operators didn't bother to submit a log.
Computerized operation, taken to the extreme, means a computer can run
multiple rigs -- make all exchanges prearranged and logged in full
compliance automatically -- converted to ADIF and then submitted without
operator intervention. The operator can merely watch or sleep while
claiming victory as the winning certificate is automatically printed.
Ah, the cynic -- hiding out on 17m during contests. What's that you
say? Contesting is now expanded to 17m? Golly, where to hide now?
Grin :)
73 de Phil - N8PS
Bob McGraw - K4TAX <RMcGraw@Blomand.net>:
I'm really glad I DO NOT participate in contests. It seems like a
very stressful way to have fun and enjoy the hobby. It seems no
different than the outcome of the recent NASCSR event this weekend.
That ended up in fistfight among drivers and crew members. I agree,
the typical discipline of the operators, and this was observed this
past weekend, is less than anything commendable.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick@DJ0IP.de>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 12:33 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Radios in the Future
Don, I can assure you I had more fun operating that OLD stuff than I do
operating in today's computerized mode.
But I can't even come close to the score I make today, using the old
equipment and techniques.
Part of the problem is the poor discipline of the operators of many of the
DX stations.
They changed the rules to where every station has to give his call sign at
least once per minute.
But they don't. In fact I saw several going for 5 or 10 minutes in the
recent CQWW SSB, and when they finally gave their call (just once), it was
buried in a landslide of stations calling them.
Without a band scope or packet spot, I wouldn't even know who's on
frequency.
There is nothing more frustrating than sitting on frequency of a huge pileup
for 10 minutes, only to find out you've already worked the guy yesterday.
Using the lovely old station pictured on my web, that's what I would be
doing today.
BTW, here is a picture of my 1980s contest station:
http://www.dj0ip.de/my-station/bremen-1981/
The Drake Line was my run station, and I used the Omni and home-brew
amplifier to its left to chase multipliers on other bands. I had a quad on
a pole in the back yard, and a beam on top of the house.
THOSE WERE THE DAYS! ;-)
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don
Rasmussen via TenTec
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 5:42 AM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Radios in the Future
I am sure that the computer could completely take over the station, and run
it to much higher scores.
=======================================================
All of this has already been done, and not that recently.
No fun in that. In my mind the photo on DJ0IP Rick's page showing Drakes,
Dentron, TT, and a classic room with open tables just rules. How can it ever
get any better than that?
I was watching an ARRL Flex review on utube last night after all this talk
on the list. Reviewer says in summary "anything you could possibly think of
is here, please just don't forget to operate" He was serious.
=============================================
Climbing into my flame proof suit... 73, Steve WA9JML
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