Contests are what you make out of them. 95% of the time, I don't give a
hoot about my score and I use the contest as an incredible playing field to
have fun with all the sweet sounding radios on my shelf and try out
different ideas. I still get a kick out of tuning the bands.
73, Barry N1EU
On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 1:41 PM, Phil Sussman <psussman@pactor.com> wrote:
>
> 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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>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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