New WPX Categories
RFPWR at aol.com
RFPWR at aol.com
Wed Dec 13 22:19:20 EST 1995
Fellow Contesters:
I don't see how the additional entry categories can do anything other than
help the serious contest entrants. Anything which will entice newer hams or
those with smaller stations on the air for contests is good, and can only
mean more QSO's for the top guys.
Even AJ Foyt couldn't compete in the Indy 500 with a VW Beetle; as an
experienced pro he wouldn't even try. Likewise, if Joe Weekendgolfer goes 18
holes with Arnold Palmer, he is doing it for the fun of the game and should
have no illusions that actual competition is involved.
There are at least three new contesters locally; one of them is a veteran ham
newly into the contest game. Winning a category is a big thing to them, and
rightfully so. It encourages them to continue with contesting, and to stay on
the air longer during the events. The more they operate the better they will
get, and one day they will be veterans who might choose to upgrade their
stations to compete on a higher level. Again I ask: What is wrong with having
additional categories, giving them a better shot at winning one?
Some of us take contesting way too seriously, IMHO. I'm not speaking of those
who spend $$$ and time building big stations to be competitive and have fun
operating, but of those who think winning a radio contest is somehow a
measure of one's manhood, or intelligence, or a measure of success in life.
As for me, I play contest because operating a radio is in my blood. I enjoy
it, otherwise I would be fishing (and Louisiana is a good place to contest or
fish). I will continue to build my station, because it will allow me have
more fun on the radio in contests and DX'ing. Some day I may even have enough
antenna hardware to come close to competing with W5WMU (who is 5 to 10 miles
from me). When that time comes I might even work a whole contest. I admit it
is difficult to psyche oneself up for a full effort in a contest when you
know you are going to get beaten (sometimes badly). Yet I persist in going
high power in SS for 2 reasons:
1. I like running 1500W even if it means no certificate for me.
2. It gives less experienced local contesters a chance to win a
certificate
in low power or QRP.
Likewise, I sometimes ask the new guys what category they will be in, and try
to go in a different category, even for a casual effort. My casual ARRL 160
effort was packet assisted because my friend was going high power single. It
is just another way of encouraging new people to continue in the game. Had a
ball anyway, worked WAS, and got a certificate to boot (I think). He may have
a certificate also (I certainly hope so).
As someone said in an earlier post, "It is only a hobby."
73, Chas N8RR
>From n3rr at cais.cais.com (Bill Hider) Thu Dec 14 04:11:13 1995
From: n3rr at cais.cais.com (Bill Hider) (Bill Hider)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 23:11:13 -0500
Subject: CT Countries needed
Message-ID: <199512140411.XAA08218 at cais.cais.com>
At 03:32 PM 12/13/95 -0500, Jim Stafford-W4QO wrote:
>Need the countries file (latest) for CT. I had a server that used to
>provide this but now it comes back - no such address. Can someone help
>me with where I can get CQWW.CTY file?
>
>73/72/jim/w4qo
>
>
It's at several locations. Here's the one I use:
FTP://ve7tcp.ampr.org/software/ct/
73!
Bill, N3RR at CAIS.COM
>From Neal, AE6E" <humecon at crl.com Thu Dec 14 04:06:20 1995
From: Neal, AE6E" <humecon at crl.com (Neal, AE6E)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 20:06:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: ARRL 10M Contest
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951213200338.250B-100000 at crl6.crl.com>
ARRL 10M CONTEST SUMMARY
WS4F
MULTI-OP (WS4F, NZ3I, and AE6E)
CW 220 11 36
PHONE 352 23 44
TOTAL 572 34 80 => 180,576
Station improvements this year included a new 40' tower with 7el
M2 for the 'MULT' station. The 'RUN' station used the 10m stack
(4el @80' and 4el @ 50') with a new FT1000MP. (I want one!)
Power line noise was real bad most of the contest. Typically S9
in all the important directions. Rain Friday night cleaned it up
for Saturday AM, but by noon it was back. Occasional lulls in
the noise allowed me to hear the many stations calling. I know
many stations gave up on us.
Never heard K6LL or K6XO (both /7) in AZ and UT multipliers that
were needed and known to be on the band. Managed ZL both modes and
KH6, never heard the VKs that many others worked. CT, EA, EA6,
ZS, 9J, Z2, FR, and the usual South Americans were among the DX
multipliers worked.
Maybe by next year the flux will get to 90! See you then.
73's... Neal, AE6E
>From RUSSELL S. RINN" <miltex at bga.com Thu Dec 14 04:31:36 1995
From: RUSSELL S. RINN" <miltex at bga.com (RUSSELL S. RINN)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 22:31:36 -0600 (CST)
Subject: '94 WPX Cat. Analysis. Last Msg!
Message-ID: <199512140431.WAA16273 at zoom.bga.com>
This is in direct response to Lyndon (VE7TCP) but has info that may be of
interest to those following this thread.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for you comments Lyndon. I enjoy talking about contesting
and even though we don't agree I think it's good dialogue.
<stuff deleted>
>It seems to me that this new category "limits" itself to well over
>80% of the entrants in WPX and WW. Under the new scheme the monster
>stations are now the minority that have their own category in which to
>compete outside the realm of the masses. Sounds like the pot calling the
>kettle black, if you ask me.
Ok. Let's look at 1994's WPX SSB results (I don't have CW handy so all you
brass pounder's please forgive me!) Do we have enough categories?
I am going to look at Single Op's only: (QRP also removed)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
First let's look at VE:
Total Entries: 43
Total categories: 14 (All band, 160-10 high power and low power)
Categories w/0 entries: 4
Categories w/1 entry: 5
Stations winning awards: 31 or 72% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 33% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
(Assuming equal distribution. Will be > for some and < for others)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Lets now look at the W's:
Total Entries: 319 Total Categories: 140 (14 * 10 call areas)
----------------------------------------------------------------
W1: Total Entries: 33
Categories w/0 entries: 6
Categories w/1 entry: 1
Stations winning awards: 10 or 30% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 42% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
(Same assumption as above)
---------------------------------------------------------
W2: Total Entries: 34
Categories w/0 entries: 3
Categories w/1 entry: 7
Stations winning awards: 14 or 41% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 41% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
--------------------------------------------------------
W3: Total Entries: 31
Categories w/0 entries: 5
Categories w/1 entry: 2
Stations winning awards: 11 or 35% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 45% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
--------------------------------------------------------
W4: Total Entries: 46
Categories w/0 entries: 5
Categories w/1 entry: 1
Stations winning awards: 13 or 28% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 30% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
--------------------------------------------------------
W5: Total Entries: 21
Categories w/0 entries: 5
Categories w/1 entry: 5
Stations winning awards: 11 or 52% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 67% chance to WIN a CATEGORY
--------------------------------------------------------
W6: Total Entries: 45
Categories w/0 entries: 3
Categories w/1 entry: 2
Stations winning awards: 15 or 33% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 31% chance to WIN a CATEGORY
--------------------------------------------------------
W7: Total Entries: 30
Categories w/0 entries: 6
Categories w/1 entry: 4
Stations winning awards: 10 or 33% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 47% chance to WIN a CATEGORY
--------------------------------------------------------
W8: Total Entries: 19
Categories w/0 entries: 7
Categories w/1 entry: 3
Stations winning awards: 8 or 42% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 74% chance to WIN a CATEGORY
--------------------------------------------------------
W9: Total Entries: 28
Categories w/0 entries: 6
Categories w/1 entry: 4
Stations winning awards: 11 or 39% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 50% chance to WIN a CATEGORY
--------------------------------------------------------
W0: Total Entries: 32
Categories w/0 entries: 2
Categories w/1 entry: 7
Stations winning awards: 13 or 40% of entrants
** Each contestant had a 44% chance to WIN a CATEGORY **
--------------------------------------------------------
OK, assuming I did the math right maybe you see my point. Do we need more
categories?
There were 84 unused or underutilized categories or 60% of those available.
(Admittedly some categories would not be considered popular.)
Perhaps before we add more categories we should use those we have.
Incidentally, there were 8 Technicians that entered the SO category.
Of those, 7 won awards and 4 WON a CATEGORY.
<deleted big station/small station comparison>
>While you claim that a small station (such as VE7TCP) with an excellent
>operator can do as well as a megastation (such as VE7ZZZ) with an average
>operator, that isn't a valid comparison. The correct comparison is
>done with excellent operators at *both* stations. In this scenario you're
>going to have a tough time convincing me that the new category is
>meaningless.
I never claimed small station/excellent op vs megastation/average op my
exact words were:
"I can talk all day about small stations (with skilled operators) achieving
big scores and making top 10, etc."
My above comparison doesn't list station size, but it does show how many
categories now go unused.
Using your figure of "well over 80%" being non-megastations, this should mean
that a large % of category winners in the 1995 SSB WPX were small stations.
319 * 80% = 255 non-mega vs 64 mega
My premise is we have too many categories now to add new ones. Hopefully,
this shows that. I also feel that small stations can achieve big scores
with hard work. (I didn't say win all the time, but we have seen that
that is a possibility with the right combination.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, if you're reading this now thanks. That's it for me. I've typed so
much I'm starting to get good at it. I've got Christmas shopping to do and
SS logs to get out (not in that order).
I certainly respect everyone's opinion even if I don't happen to agree with
them. I hope y'all feel the same.
If you see my point of view I'm glad. If not, well that's ok too. As Sean
put it in a letter "we both want the same thing" we just haven't found the
right answer yet.
If you want to respond, PLEASE DO SO DIRECTLY TO ME. I'm sure some of
our reflector-ites are tired of this same story line.
Happy Contesting to all and to all a good night....
73 & Happy Holidays, Russ--
Russell Rinn
AA5RB
miltex at bga.com
>From Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net> Thu Dec 14 06:06:10 1995
From: Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net> (Gary Nieborsky)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 22:06:10 -0800
Subject: 10M score
Message-ID: <199512140606.WAA15143 at bing.ncw.net>
190 q's
760 q pts
6 countries
19 sections
19,000 pts.
>From patd at eskimo.com (Patrick Dayshaw) Thu Dec 14 09:07:02 1995
From: patd at eskimo.com (Patrick Dayshaw) (Patrick Dayshaw)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 09:07:02 +0000
Subject: WPX Categories
Message-ID: <199512140907.BAA14723 at mail.eskimo.com>
The other day as I watched nearly 200 sailboats starting at one of the
larger races here in Puget Sound (I was sitting this one out with a broken
spreader) it occurred to me that there seemed to be an analogy between the
sailing sport and its classes/categories and the discussion about the
revised rules announced for CQ WPX. With this in mind I spent a few hours
after the race in the local watering hole questioning mostly the "big guns"
in the sport about thier view of the many classes/categories in that race
and how it related to thier personal sense of victory and accomplishment.
Briefly there were 13 classes/categories of boats that started the race.
The "top class", the sort-of unlimited class, included multi-million dollar
ocean racers (80+ feet long) amongst which were trans-Pacific
winners/veterans. The smallest boats in the race were in the smaller
"one-design" categories as small as 19 feet.
In the unlimited class everything goes. Main-sails that cost as much as two
or three of our best xcvr's plus a couple of the best linears thrown in.
Carbon-fiber masts, Mylar sails etc. The sailing equivalent of the
super-duper multi-multi no-holds barred station. In the "one-design"
classes the basic idea is that all the boats are nearly the same. They have
to weight +/- the same, same sail area, equipment, etc. The whole purpose
of the "one-design" classes is to match the sailors SKILL on the race
course on an equitable basis. Each boat is nearly the same, costs the same
etc., and therefore the only real differences are in the Captains and crews
SKILL in sailing/operating the boat.
Although I've been racing for years I never really made the connection
between the sailing sport and contesting so I decided to ask around a bit.
I sat at large table with mostly the "big guns" who I have know for years
and described the discussion that has evolved here. I explained the whole
contesting thing and how it worked (many thought it sounded pretty neat). I
mentioned that many folks seemed to think that the creation of more classes
in the contests would somehow "cheapen" the accomplishments of all
operators. The sailing folks, the "big guns" and "little pistols", were
basically at a loss in understanding what the problem was. In fact they
seemed to think that it was ridiculous that a guy in a 19 footer was even
considered to be in "competion" with the 80 footer. "Oh, sure if the 80'
Skipper really screwed up and ran the damn thing aground maybe the 19 footer
would win, but basically what kind of victory for the 19 footer is that?"
(That's a quote.)
The analogy is pretty good actually, as anyone who has sailed knows.
Sometimes only a matter of yards determines if you have wind/propagation or
not. Making course/band changes ahead of time, having the little voice in
the back of your head that says "try it now", etc. is all part of both games.
The sport of sailing seems to be alive and well despite all the
classes/categories (it certainly pre-dates contesting). You get to race
against those of "your own kind" and yet every now and then you get to pass
one of the "big guns". What was most amazing to me was that not one of the
thirty sailors that I queried about this issue could understand how having
classes/categories that simply reported the results based on equipment/boat
design would "cheapen" the sport. Even the guy who has crewed on two
different Americas Cup boats, just couldn't understand how his "world-class"
accomplishments could possibly be reduced/cheapened by allowing the 19
footer's to be scored/rated against one another. But then he learned to
sail in those categories/classes so what does he know? He said that seeing
his name at the top of the list for his class/category (19')when he first
started out really helped him stick with it and better himself and that
everyone needs a little victory now and then to keep going. He described
moving to the top of his class with his own boat and then being invited to
crew on bigger and bigger boats with the "big guns". He also said he'd
mention this discussion to Dennis Conner the next time they talked and let
me know what he thinks, but he thought Dennis would be just as confused.
All in all they thought we contesters were a very strange lot.
73.....
Patrick, WA7VNI........ patd at eskimo.com
>From Greg Richard KC4ZV <kc4zv at iquest.com> Thu Dec 14 13:58:59 1995
From: Greg Richard KC4ZV <kc4zv at iquest.com> (Greg Richard KC4ZV)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 07:58:59 -0600 (CST)
Subject: New Blood and NAQP
Message-ID: <Pine.BSD.3.91.951214073836.12612A-100000 at vespucci.iquest.com>
With the exception of Field Day, one of the best contests for attracting
New Blood to contesting is comming up next month. the NAQP'S are
perfect for first time contesters due to the 150 watt power limit,
the ability to work guys once per band and the 10 hour single op time
limit. these are also good reasons for "mega contest station owners"
to invite "novice contestors" over (or newcomers TO ASK TO OPERATE)
to get their feet wet.
Typically, smaller stations (low wires, all band verticals and
loaded rain gutters etc) can do well in this contest due to the
power limit. This is about as "equal" the playing field gets
during contesting. Plus with the exchange, NAME AND STATE, the
contest seems more personal or friendly than 5904 over and over..
I have asked about 8 guys from Alabama to be on teams in NAQP
and the response is positive so far. (getting them to show during
the contest might be another story...) BUT IT LOOKS LIKE
alabama will be well reperesented during the naqp's PLUS I'VE
just heard about an effort to get a team of all MISSISSIPPI
stations active for naqp.
IF yor're in Alabama and want to be on a team drop me a note
and we'll get you on one...we can always make more if needed.
One of the things I did for summer NAQP was to write to all the
stations in Alabama who sent a log in for the 10 Meter contest
and told them of the upcomming Naqp. I have no idea if this
helped the turnout but I DID WORK 8 different alabama stations
in the aug naqp cw. The ssb weekend is the same weekend as
the Huntsville hamfest so there is a "local conflict" for
out of town hams.
Now is the time to start asking for team members for NAQP. Now is
the time to start challenging other naqp teams. NOW IS THE TIME
TO GET PEOPLE MORE INTERESTED IN CONTESTING.
GREG KC4ZV
KC4ZV at IQUEST.COM
>From Ed Gilbert <eyg at hpnjlc.njd.hp.com> Thu Dec 14 14:44:27 1995
From: Ed Gilbert <eyg at hpnjlc.njd.hp.com> (Ed Gilbert)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 09:44:27 -0500
Subject: Keyers
Message-ID: <199512141440.AA029452009 at hp.com>
KL7Y's message about keying reminded me of a question I've been
meaning to ask.
Does anyone know of a commercial keyer that can mimic the old
W9TO style keyer? I've been using this kind of keyer with a dual
lever paddle for about 30 years. It has no dot or dash memories,
and when you squeeze both levers at once you only get dashes.
It seems that all the commercial keyers I've tried recently are
iambic, and I tend to squeeze both levers when making dashes, so
I cannot send with them. Whenever I have to operate someone
else's keyer, I bring along a single lever type paddle, which I
can get by with but I'm much more comfortable with the W9TO and
my dual paddle. Any pointers to a keyer whose iambic feature can
be turned off would be appreciated.
73,
Ed Gilbert, WA2SRQ
eyg at hpnjlc.njd.hp.com
>From Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW" <gswanson at arrl.org Thu Dec 14 15:19:00 1995
From: Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW" <gswanson at arrl.org (Swanson, Glenn, KB1GW)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 95 10:19:00 EST
Subject: New Blood and NAQP
Message-ID: <30D0410E at arrl.org>
Hi Greg (and reflectorites),
Also, see my article "The Casual Contester" on page 64 (and p.70) in the
August '95 issue of QST, which *specifically plugs the NAQP* at the end
of the article. Happy holidays!
Glenn, KB1GW
----------
>From: Greg Richard KC4ZV
>Return-Path: <kc4zv at iquest.com>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>With the exception of Field Day, one of the best contests for attracting
>New Blood to contesting is coming up next month. the NAQP'S are
>perfect for first time contesters due to the 150 watt power limit,
>the ability to work guys once per band and the 10 hour single op time
>limit. these are also good reasons for "mega contest station owners"
>to invite "novice contesters" over (or newcomers TO ASK TO OPERATE)
>to get their feet wet.
>
>Typically, smaller stations (low wires, all band verticals and
>loaded rain gutters etc) can do well in this contest due to the
>power limit. This is about as "equal" the playing field gets
>during contesting. Plus with the exchange, NAME AND STATE, the
>contest seems more personal or friendly than 5904 over and over..
>
>I have asked about 8 guys from Alabama to be on teams in NAQP
>and the response is positive so far. (getting them to show during
>the contest might be another story...) BUT IT LOOKS LIKE
>Alabama will be well represented during the naqp's PLUS I'VE
>just heard about an effort to get a team of all MISSISSIPPI
>stations active for naqp.
>IF you're in Alabama and want to be on a team drop me a note
>and we'll get you on one...we can always make more if needed.
>
>One of the things I did for summer NAQP was to write to all the
>stations in Alabama who sent a log in for the 10 Meter contest
>and told them of the upcoming Naqp. I have no idea if this
>helped the turnout but I DID WORK 8 different Alabama stations
>in the aug naqp cw. The ssb weekend is the same weekend as
>the Huntsville hamfest so there is a "local conflict" for
>out of town hams.
>
>Now is the time to start asking for team members for NAQP. Now is
>the time to start challenging other naqp teams. NOW IS THE TIME
>TO GET PEOPLE MORE INTERESTED IN CONTESTING.
>
>
>GREG KC4ZV
>KC4ZV at IQUEST.COM
>
>From Steven Affens <k3sa at access.digex.net> Thu Dec 14 15:35:14 1995
From: Steven Affens <k3sa at access.digex.net> (Steven Affens)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 10:35:14 -0500 (EST)
Subject: CQ-contest premier issue
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951214103400.12356D-100000 at access2.digex.net>
It is my understanding that future issues will have a "cover story".
Your suggestions and comments are truly valuable, so keep those cards and
letters coming.
vy 73 Happy Holidays to all.
Steve
Steven C. Affens
K3SA at ACCESS.DIGEX.NET
On Mon, 11 Dec 1995 KY3N at aol.com wrote:
> I recived my Premier !st issue of CQ`s contest today in the mail.
> The mag will be read covet to cover . Its chockefull of all kind of stuff
> that interest use contest type. Thers an international flair and a personal
> tone to some of the articales. this mag will be a BiG
> HIT.
> NOW FOR MY PET PEEVE... AM I ALONE ON THIS ISSUE?
> The Old saying ' YOU CAN`T TELL A BOOK BY IT`s COVER"
> You sure can`t with this one either. Just like it`s parent mag CQ
> The cover shot has nothing to do with the contents of the MAG.
> I viewed the cover in the promotional`s and ASSUMED that VE3EJ would be
> spotlighted in the issue.The only reference of John is on page #2 " Words
> can`t begin to decribe the QTH of John Sluymer,
> VE3EJ. Next time you hear him in a contest, You`ll know why he almost always
> wins!"
> WelI I for one wish there were more WORDS TO DECRIBE Johns station and him
> as a person. a photo or two would be ok to.
> To the beast of my knowledge these two mag`s CQ and CQ contest
> are the only published periodicals where the COVER SHOT has nothing to do
> with it`s contents!
> I am still curious about all the station/ops that were on CQ
> NK7U, N0RR,AA6TT,K1ZM,K1DG,K5ZD(he did a explanation on hr)
> K8AZ,W5XJK4XS,W1RJ,K6UA,K9ZO,K4VX,K3ZO,N2RM,N3RSN4RJW4DR,N4AR,W1KM THE List
> go`s on and on !!! and now VE3EJ
> All in all the contents are premo, GREAT articales inside
> 73` Wayne KY3N
> KY3N at AOL.COM
> ps. This remindes me of a story from my youth, A jr in Highschool
> and Sally B$#%^%^ finally went out on a date with me ! Was She put together
> ! much to my surprise Sally was not what she showed on the outside (cover)
> Her overdevelopement was not a gift of nature
> except the wood the tissue paper was made from.
>
>
>From snace at wsc.nasa.gov (Steve Nace) Thu Dec 14 15:46:17 1995
From: snace at wsc.nasa.gov (Steve Nace) (Steve Nace)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 08:46:17 -0700
Subject: I'm getting 2 of every post
Message-ID: <v01510100acf5f6e2b4e0@[192.77.86.129]>
Anyone else getting 2 copies of each post or is it my server?
de Hose KN5H
>From barry at w2up.wells.com (barry) Thu Dec 14 15:26:13 1995
From: barry at w2up.wells.com (barry) (barry)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 95 10:26:13 EST
Subject: Keyers
Message-ID: <eeV4FD1w165w at w2up.wells.com>
Ed Gilbert <eyg at hpnjlc.njd.hp.com> writes:
> Does anyone know of a commercial keyer that can mimic the old
> W9TO style keyer? I've been using this kind of keyer with a dual
> lever paddle for about 30 years. It has no dot or dash memories,
> and when you squeeze both levers at once you only get dashes.
> It seems that all the commercial keyers I've tried recently are
> iambic, and I tend to squeeze both levers when making dashes, so
> I cannot send with them. Whenever I have to operate someone
> else's keyer, I bring along a single lever type paddle, which I
> can get by with but I'm much more comfortable with the W9TO and
> my dual paddle. Any pointers to a keyer whose iambic feature can
> be turned off would be appreciated.
I recently purchased the "CMOS SUper Keyer 3" written up in QST about 6
months ago. I haven't finished putting the kit together yet, but from the
manual (not in front of me as I write this) I recall there were
emulations of several popular keyers. Also, being microprocessor
controlled, there was a lot of flexibility in turning features on and
off. Sri can't give you more specifics at this moment...
73 Barry
--
Barry N. Kutner, W2UP Internet: barry at w2up.wells.com
Newtown, PA Packet Radio: W2UP @ WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA.NA
Packet Cluster: W2UP >WB2R (FRC)
.......................................................................
>From Danny Eskenazi <k7ss at wolfenet.com> Thu Dec 14 16:29:19 1995
From: Danny Eskenazi <k7ss at wolfenet.com> (Danny Eskenazi)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 08:29:19 -0800 (PST)
Subject: New categories
Message-ID: <199512141629.IAA28055 at wolfe.net>
Been some guys complaining that a plaque for winning "a watered down"
category would not mean as much.
Most of us can remember when the Low Power and QRP classes were added
categories. It used to be just the
High Power folks that got ANY recognition. We are hearing alot of the same
arguments now..
Why not ASK those who have won victories in these "new" categories how their
recognition feels, whether
they feel they have won "cheap" or "hollow" victories.
Anyone can comment on "how they would feel" if they were victorious in one
of the new categories in WPX,
but the real answers to how it feels belongs only to those that have.
Their opinions matter....everything else is just conjecture.
73 and everyone take a deep breath and remember this is a hobby, not a lifestyle
de Danny K7SS
(Personally I've had enough of the macho attitude that only the mighty shall
triumph...and their victories are the only ones worth anything...egad! Most
of the winning in this game is in the gear/antennas/location AND WE ALL
KNOW IT...... you take any of 200 fair to good ops and put one at my place
with a tribander and then put any other at W7XR super station and 100% of
the time we all know who would win!! )
>From sellington" <sellington at mail.ssec.wisc.edu Thu Dec 14 16:07:53 1995
From: sellington" <sellington at mail.ssec.wisc.edu (sellington)
Date: 14 Dec 1995 11:07:53 -0500
Subject: Dit-dropping
Message-ID: <n1393183149.74074 at mail.ssec.wisc.edu>
Note that there's a very good reason most transceivers shorten the first
dit in vox mode: To prevent hot-switching of the amplifier relay. So,
whatever you do to lengthen the first dit, make sure the there is
still enough delay to allow the amplifier relay to close before drive is
applied.
One possible solution (short of true QSK), would be a "cw delay box". Instead
of clipping of the first dit, it would simply delay everything sent by
10 ms or so, and independently control the PTT line. Certainly easy
enough to do in software with CT/NA/TR. For manual sending, one would
probably
want a sidetone generated before the delay.
Scott K9MA
sellington at ssec.wisc.edu
>From broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan) Thu Dec 14 17:27:17 1995
From: broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan) (John Brosnahan)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 10:27:17 -0700
Subject: Keyers
Message-ID: <199512141727.KAA11142 at lynx.csn.net>
>Does anyone know of a commercial keyer that can mimic the old
>W9TO style keyer? I've been using this kind of keyer with a dual
>lever paddle for about 30 years. It has no dot or dash memories,
>and when you squeeze both levers at once you only get dashes.
Ed, the new keyer published in August 95 QST looks promising.
I have the older one (CMOS Super Keyer II) and will probably build the 3
version in as small a package as I can get and use it with one of the G4ZPY
miniature paddles (he has both a twin paddle and a single paddle version)
for taking with me on trips.
According to the QST article:
"....developed an option that allows the CMOS Super Keyer 3 to mimic the
feel of virtually any earlier keyer. Ten algorithm variants do the work.
The feel of the CMOS Super Keyer II, Accu-Keyer, Curtis A and Curtis B
chips are there for the choosing. Additionally, each can be had with or
without dot and dash memories."
Turning off the memories and selecting the right timing may give you what
you want. Good luck and let me know how it turns out--if you go this way.
73 John W0UN
John Brosnahan
La Salle Research Corp 24115 WCR 40 La Salle, CO 80645 USA
voice 970-284-6602 fax 970-284-0979 email broz at csn.net
>From aa4lr at radio.org (Bill Coleman AA4LR) Thu Dec 14 16:31:41 1995
From: aa4lr at radio.org (Bill Coleman AA4LR) (Bill Coleman AA4LR)
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 1995 12:31:41 -0400
Subject: New Categories - replt to Ray
Message-ID: <v01520d07acf5feb9cc5a@[206.28.194.40]>
>In conclusion...
>
>Once again it must be a difference in philosophy. In basketball I always
>want to guard the other teams best player. How can I test myself if I play
>against someone who has my identical skills.
You missed the point. With subcategorization, an attempt is made to
equalize the STATIONS, not the skills.
The contest itself is always a test of skill.
For what it is worth, no matter how you subcategorize the contest, you can
still compete outside your category. If someone in the TS category scored
higher than the top multi-multi, I'm sure it would get someone's attention.
Bill Coleman, AA4LR Mail: aa4lr at radio.org
Quote: "The same light shines on vineyards that makes deserts." -- Steve
Hackett
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