No doubt some ops are using WebSDR on receive, but in this case, I am skeptical
of the skepticism. Here's why:
I routinely work VU2GSM on 40m GL-LP in the early morning hours on a 210-degree
bearing from FL to VU. He is consistently S9, peaking +10 dB on my Elecraft
K3. The remote station I share with N4CC is in Hilliard, FL just east of the
St. Mary's River. Our antenna is a full-size 4 el. M2 40m OWA at 140 ft AGL.
On the 210 deg. bearing, the land slopes almost immediately into the river
valley. VU2GSM's solid signals aren't an isolated event; he is that strong
most of the LP season. VU2GSM cannot be detected on my backyard dipole at my
home QTH 30 miles to the south in Jacksonville. The dipole is up 35 ft. AGL.
When I say he can't be detected, I mean there's no trace on the dipole
whatsoever, not even a blip that rises above the SDR noise floor. That's to be
expected on a low dipole if the arriving angle is skimming the horizon.
According to HFTA, the statistical mode from FL to VU is 1 degree above the
horizon. The sloping terrain accounts for much of VU2GSM's solid signals into
the station. Forget 4-square arrays over good soil, Forget stacked arrays up
to 200 ft AGL. Apart from verticals on salt water, nothing else compares with
high horizonal antennas into sloping terrain when the statistical mode is 1
degree above the horizon. When VU2GSM is +10/S9 here, I am certain he is
hearing me on his dipole and he doesn't need WebSDR.
When I hear other NA stations calling VU2GSM on 40m, he cannot hear many, if
not most of them. Of those he picks out, he struggles to copy unless they're
from stations with excellent antenna systems - like those in the RHR group.
So, if VU2GSM is routinely using WebSDR on 40m receive, his operating habits
are not reflective of such claims.
Paul, W9AC
-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve Babcock
Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2018 10:03 AM
To: topband <topband@contesting.com>
Cc: Larry D Brailean <ve5ua@mcsnet.ca>; Don Moman VE6JY <ve6jy.1@gmail.com>
Subject: Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use
I have been "sitting" on this for a few weeks wondering if I should share this
information, but after seeing some spots yesterday for VU2GSM on 160m, I
decided that others may appreciate it.
I know I would.
If you have worked Kanti, VU2GSM recently on the low bands...40, 80 or 160 you
should be aware that he was most likely RX using a NA webSDR. The links below
are PDF copies of email correspondence with Kanti confirming that this is
routine for him.The emails are between both VE5UA, myself and VU2GSM. (Please
read the email threads from the "bottom up" to be chronological.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharing
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharing>
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MdZFLJrwcBs-vHh0PNZc2DSevu3lrwcg/view?usp=sharing
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MdZFLJrwcBs-vHh0PNZc2DSevu3lrwcg/view?usp=sharing>
To be clear, I do not judge Kanti for his desire to augment his rx, and do not
think it is wrong. If he chooses to use Ham radio this way that is his choice.
However, I myself do not wish to include a "half" QSO toward my own (personal)
DXCC count, and perhaps others will feel the same hence this email. I also
don't judge others that are good with such webSDR QSOs since each has his own
goals and objectives.
Here is some background. I have been working VU2GSM frequently and with ease on
40m in the morning and evening. He would respond almost immediately to my calls
which seemed odd. More typical is Rakash VU2RAK who has a great signal but
usually can't copy me, though we have QSOd a few times when conditions are
exceptional.
While at a local ham lunch, I mentioned this, and Don VE6JY said that Kanti is
often logged into his webSDR. The following week I copied VU2GSM on 80m in the
evening with very light copy with my 2el Yagi and 1000' beverage (diversity rx
with K3). He answered immediately and we had a QSO. I was suspicious. I emailed
Don VE6JY and he confirmed that at that time Kanti was indeed logged into his
SDR.
I deleted the QSO from my log.
This then precipitated the e-mail correspondence which I share on the attached
links.
There is little doubt this is going on all the time, and we will never know. We
can't undo the technology that makes webSDR possible.
There are those who who feel that this destroys the “integrity” of the DXCC.
However, not everyone cares about DXCC.
Kanti is not a villan. He is doing nothing wrong. He is not “cheating”. In his
email correspondence he is very open and transparent and makes it clear he
doesn't chase DXCC, and could care less about it. Why should he?
From Kanti's perspective, using a webSDR enhances his enjoyment of the hobby
living in RFI polluted Bangalore. For others, a "half-VU" QSO is better than
none and they are happy.
Like others, I spend a great deal of effort optimizing both rx and tx and
someday when I do make the QSO with VU on 80 and hopefully 160, it will be a
true two-way contact. The “buzz” for me is not getting the country counter in
the log, its about knowing that my station made the contact via radio….both
ways…all the way.
The purpose of this email is simply to inform those who have worked Kanti
recently that it is possible/likely that your TX signal was not actually heard
in VU.
73, de Steve ve6wz
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