[CQ-Contest] M/S 10 Meter Contest - Question for Entrants

[AA4NC at aol.com]

In a message dated Mon, 17 Dec 2001 11:15:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Steve London" <n2ic at arrl.net> writes:

> 
> A question for you folks who entered the 10 meter contest Multi-Single :
> 
> Since the 10 meter contest does not require M/S participants to spend any
> specific length of time on a mode, will any of you admit to using an octopus
> arrangement (either manual, or software-controlled) to simultaneously
> operate CW and SSB ?
> 
> To those of you too young to know what an octopus is, ask K5RC  :)  .
> 
> 73,
> Steve, N2IC/0
> 

I suspect from the disparity in scores that there were lots of different schemes used. I haven't operated the 10m M/S for a couple years, and had originally thought that there was a 10 minute/6 band change rule (as in most ARRL contests). Since I had not read the rules in a long time, I was surprised to see N1ND's e-mail clarification prior to the contest that mode changes were allowed for multis AS LONG AS ONLY ONE SIGNAL WAS TRANSMITTED. Wouldn't this outlaw an octopus? 

At W4MR, we had only 2 operators and took the conservative road, using SO1R technology. We used a single 1000MP, utilizing the sub receiver to make quick mode changes to chase mults. I can see that using a second (or third) operating station could easily increase the Q/mult totals even with the most consciencious use of one- signal-at-a-time. Non-consciencious use of the 2nd station is why 10 minute rules exist. 

10 minute rules are generally no fun, but something probably does need to be done for this mode/contest. Maybe a 5 minute rule? 

Happy holidays,

Will


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