Wade, you are a wonderful guy, but I have to disagree! (hi)
Let me explain.
You are one of my most favorite people in this group, but you seem not to
understand on important point:
People (contest participants) have a choice.
In 1976, LONG before CT or any other software was on the market, I thought
of using software to improve our efficiency and ease the pain of calculating
the final results of a CQWW DX contest. It typically took us days to
calculate our results.
I tackled the problem, had a "Softy" in our QRL write a program for me and
in 1997 I used a computer to log CQWW CW for the first time. For sure I was
one of the fist in the world to do this. About 10 years before most people
began using logging software.
It's only 2 tasks during the contest were to log the QSO and check for
duplicates. Nothing wrong with that.
After the contest it took about 10 minutes to calculate our results; much
better than several days of manual calculations.
Nothing wrong with that.
Perhaps you should re-think what you wrote. What is wrong with using a
computer for this?
THEN CAME THE PR CLUSTER.
Admitted, I'm personally part of that problem, because I co-installed the
very first PR cluster in DL.
THAT was the software that told us where the DX station was. But this
information was available to everyone, not just the chosen few.
Before we had that, we had 2m and 70cm "spotting nets" where people verbally
gave this type of information on to others.
That was very local thing, helping only the local hams.
There were hundreds of these around the world.
Was that fair? - In this case, I say "I don't think so."
The PR cluster at least made this information available to everyone within
reach of the repeater.
Seems to me to be more fair than only sharing with your local friends!
It was more fair than the previous method of local spotting groups.
Then came the Internet DX spots.
It spread the local spots around the world.
Seems even more fair than before. Everyone has an equal chance.
Then came the Skimmers. Again, shared equally with everyone.
Is that unfair?
Each contestant has the choice to enter "Assisted" or "Unassisted".
Unassisted means you do not use any of this. You find everything yourself.
You only compete against others who don't use any of this.
EVERY CONTEST to this day still offers us the possibility of participating
in unassisted.
You don't compete with the others using these modern technologies. What's
wrong with that?
I find every advancement to be beneficial to contesting as a whole.
I also understand those who choose not to use it.
Nothing wrong with that.
You may choose whether to participate as QRP, 100w, or as 1.5kW station.
You may also choose whether to participate as "Assisted" or "Unassisted".
What's wrong with that?
So Wade, for the first time ever, I totally disagree with you. (hi)
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wade Staggs
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2014 8:29 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT Computer Assistance
*Hello to All,*
* I don't think it is Fair to use a Computer in
Contests. In my way of looking at it, where would the fun be in Deer
Hunting.... If you already know which tree he will be standing under? Also,
if we know that a person is doing Computer/Keyboard CW ..... I will Never
answer their calls. A memory keyer for calling CQ may be OK but having 30 or
so prerecorded phrases at your Push Button Command is Cheating ....
Plain and Simple...*
* 73 de Wade/KJ4WS*
On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 1:01 PM, Spencer <W1GAK@centurylink.net> wrote:
> SDR, fft, spectrum analysis, CAT, panadaptor are really neat toys but
> I just dont see the the point of using a computer to do the contesting
> for me. I dont need a radio to do that, all I need is some computer
> savvy. My 7 year old grandson can do that.
>
> IMHO
>
> Spencer W1GAK
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
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