[CQ-Contest] Better now or 20 years ago ?

[swedge at Kollsman.com]

>>>Running after packetcluster infos, one is generally going to waste more
time than if searching alone because he always finds and follows the
mess, or old spots, or broken calls, or a propagation that doesn't
exist for him. One is always late or too early, always fighting alone
against big, "unmoderated" groups or with a wrong propagation.
At high levels there won't be differences in final results if
packetcluster spots would be allowed because those facts are well known
and top competitors generally work mults before the others, earlier
than packet spots or later in quieter moments than wild pile ups,
knowing perfectly how to do it.<<<

I couldn't agree more.  I saw another part of this thread that mentioned bracket
racing.  The automotive analogy is appropriate and I'll go one further:  Packet
assistance could be analagous to an automatic transmission whereas no packet
equates to a manual gearbox.  In MOST applications, the car with the manual
gearbox, in the hands of a skilled driver, will out-perform the automatic (for
you Europeans, an automatic transmission is one of those automotive devices that
lazy American drivers use to avoid the exertion of having to use the left foot
and right arm excessively :-)  )  The automatic is easier to use but the manual
is more fun for those who enjoy high-performance driving.  A skilled driver can
do better with the manual gearbox and will choose it over the alternative.  It
doesn't have to be legislated, although some specialised forms of racing do have
strict mechanical limits.  These guys, however, are usually competing for large
sums of money whereas we are doing this for enjoyment.  When money enters the
equation, things change drastically.

I think that Mauri and others have made an excellent point that in the top
echelons of contesting, the 'cluster only serves to slow down the very best
operators, while improving the performance of those less-skilled.  The net
result is that more people are on the bands having fun in the contest, which
means more Q's for the top dogs and others.

I'm for keeping the 'cluster and SOA categories as they are.

73,

Steve, W1ES




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