BACKGROUND: The ARRL has changed the rules for ARRL DX (and other) contests
to permit stations to self-spot in all categories. This rule change has
implications on DX cluster filters that are used to eliminate unwanted DX
spots during contests.
The spot filters that we typically use for AR Cluster nodes are designed to
eliminate unwanted DX cluster spots based on frequency range, location of
the spotter, and other parameters such as mode. As an illustration, here is
a simple AR Cluster spot filter designed to pass only spots originated by
stations in CQ Zones 3, 4 or 5 on 10M SSB frequencies authorized in the USA:
Set/dx/filter spottercqzone=[3,4,5] and freq >=28300 and freq <=29697
Unfortunately, this filter blocks all self-spots from stations outside of
the specified locations - CQ Zones 3, 4 or 5 in this example. So, if a DX
station in CQ Zone 8 like V26K self-spots, it will not be passed by the
filter. This significantly limits the benefits of the recent ARRL rule
changes regarding self-spotting.
PROPOSED SOLUTION: A solution to this dilemma has been developed and
tested. It is based on adding a phrase in the comment field for self-spots
that can be used to pass filter criteria. The phrase that I am proposing is
QRV. Therefore, the self-spot syntax from V26K in this example would be: DX
28355 V26K QRV
The supporting AR Cluster Node DX filter that would pass this self-spot is:
Set/dx/filter comment=*QRV* or spottercqzone=[3,4,5] and freq >=28300 and
freq <=29700
It should be noted that a new feature was added to N1MM Logger+ in this
week's release (V1.0.9822.0) that allows users to add comments to self-spots
generated using the {SPOTME} macro. Please go to the Telnet window, Spot
Comment tab. Users of other logging programs that choose to self-spot
should manually enter QRV in their self-spot comments.
RECOMMENDATION: It recommended that the phrase QRV be added to all
self-spots to enable AR Cluster filters to detect self-spots regardless of
the self-spotter's location. Further, AR Cluster filters should include a
comment=*QRV* test in their designs to detect and pass self-spots.
73,
Bud AA3B
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