While I watch RBN I still watch the old fashioned packet cluster that whose
ship sailed many years ago. Many worthwhile things appear on the cluster
that never appear on RBN. If you really want to know what's going on you
need to be watching both. 73. . .Dave, FLS
-----Original Message-----
From: VE6WZ_Steve
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2020 4:15 PM
To: Topband
Subject: Topband: RBN and cluster spots
This winter I've noticed that when CQing on 160m, if I get spotted on the
“conventional” packet cluster, I seem to get more action.
I’ve always found this surprising because usually with 3 seconds (!!!) my
call is spotted on the RBN network, so why doesn't everyone already know I’m
CQing there?
It seems that quite a few ops out there either don’t know about, have
forgotten about, or somehow “don’t believe” in the RBN network?? As far as
thinking the RBN network is “un-fair” or not "old school" like finding your
own DX, well to each his own, but the packet cluster ship sailed many years
ago!
Perhaps this email is just a reminder to consider either checking the RBN
network directly in your browser or getting the RBN skimmer spots fed
directly into your logging program packet window.
I use the VE7CC “CC cluster” program which will filter the skimmer spots
anyway I want (eg. no NA spots) and they get streamed together with the
conventional packet cluster into my logging program, and also directly onto
the Flex waterfall. If anyone in EU calls CQ, the spot will show up on the
waterfall within 2-5 seconds! I know exactly where the “open” spots are on
160m before I call CQ. I see the who’s-who across the band all the time.
I know many reading this already use the RBN regularly, but even in the KST
chat room I get questions like “where are you CQing”? Heck, I was spotted
within seconds of my first CQ on the RBN network !
73, de steve ve6wz
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