[CQ-Contest] Extent of computerization (was: Mode 516 suggestions)

[Richard Thorne]

I can guarantee everyone that operating remote is no picnic.  I've done it the last
couple of years and it has its problems.  But what a great solution to antenna
restricted neighborhoods.

Having the ability to place a tower and decent antennas up allowed me to be
competitive with the non-remote guys with tower(s) in the backyard.

I used the phone lines for control of the rig/rotator/audio/antenna switch and the
internet to control my Acom amplifier (via pcanywhere).   If there was some sort of
a problem that could not be solved from the control point it was a 15 minute drive
to the station, time to fix the problem and then another 15 minutes back home.  Not
conducive to qso totals.

My best remote effort was the 1999 ARRL 10m contest with 1787 qso's (1124 ssb,
663cw).

Bottom line, a remote station is a bit of a disadvantage compared to the non-remote
stations.

I have pics of the station at my web site, the url is below my signature line.

David Robbins wrote:

> Paul EI5DI wrote:
> >
> > I'd like to thank Bill AA4LR for his comments.  Just to emphasize that
> > all my remarks are in the context of what I see as legitimate
> > practices for amateur radio contesting.  I've as many prejudices as
> > anyone else, so please don't anyone take this personally.
> >
> > > >  EI5DI:  1. (Amateur Radio Contesters) Use the ionosphere as their
> > sole means of propagation.
> >
> > > AA4LR:   I see nothing in a better computer/radio integration that
> > would affect this. (Although some contacts are clearly made with
> > ground wave, but I get what you mean)
> >
> > That's fine with me so long as the operator(s), at both ends, are
> > physically located close to where the computer/radio integration
> > occurs.  For example, remote control or an internet link would, of
> > itself, change the operation from amateur radio contesting to amateur
> > (whatever you prefer to call it yourself - I suggested wirrio)
> > contesting.
> >
>
> you say 'close to where the computer/radio integration occurs' what is the
> difference between me turning my chair around to operate the radio, and if i
> remote controlled it from this desk?  where does the radio end and the computer
> begin?  where does the line get drawn if i feed the raw digitized IF out and do
> dsp in the operator's computer?  why do this??? its a technical challenge of the
> type that hams have been working on for years.  we are pushing the envelope,
> taking digital technologies from broadcast and other industries for remote
> control and sensing and applying them to a new problem... how to remotely
> control a contest station well enough to compete.
>
> now, once i get it working from the other table to this one, what is the
> difference if i link to it from the internet and go down the road to a friends
> house who can't travel and operate in a contest? or access it from another city
> while on a trip when i can't get home in time to contest?  or have a contester
> in another country who wants to experience propagation from this area use it?
> or set up a m/m with operators in different cities who can't all get here at
> once???  again, its just more technical challanges to be overcome... all it does
> is make it easier for someone to use a station that they can't physically get
> to.  it doesn't change the operator's skill, in fact the operator may have to be
> more skillful to handle all the problems of remote operation.  it doesn't change
> propagation, though the operator may have to keep in mind that he isn't
> operating from his normal station.  it doesn't change the station builders
> problems, you still have to put up antennas and do all the maintenance.   it
> does require advancement in the state of the art and operating techniques, which
> in this country are part of the basic reason for the existance of amateur radio
> and are written right into the fcc's rules.
>
> --
> David Robbins K1TTT
> e-mail: mailto://k1ttt@berkshire.net
> web: http://www.k1ttt.net
> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net
>
> --
> CQ-Contest on WWW:        http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
> Administrative requests:  cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com

--
73,
Richard Thorne
Amarillo, TX
Amateur Radio Station - N5ZC (Ex. KA2DSY, N2BHP, WB5M)
Remote Control Planes - AMA # N5ZC
Web Page: http://www.tcac.net/~rthorne/index.html


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