[CQ-Contest] arrl dx ssb spotting report

[David Robbins K1TTT]

You are mixing 2 different packet problems

Self spotting is against many contest rules and has been used in the past as
an attempt to bolster runs by some stations.  Since it has been outlawed
some operators have taken to using fake callsigns and other methods to avoid
getting caught.  My report is aimed at pointing out the self spotters that
are dumb enough to try to hide behind fake calls and other mechanisms to try
to break the rules.

Spotting accuracy is a whole different problem.  It is always up to you to
make sure you copy the call of the station you work, its just a bit of an
annoyance to have to weed out the bad spots.  I have in the past done
analysis of busted spots, but mostly for fun when there are a large number
of them related to particularly easily bustable calls.  I would rather see
the spots and have to delete them then have people scared of posting what
they hear.


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:cq-contest-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of asciibaron at comcast.net
> Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 21:07
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] arrl dx ssb spotting report
> 
> so what is the big deal if someone self spots?  seriously - if you rely
> 100% on the packet, you've already lost.  sure it's nice to see a needed
> mult or if 10 is FINALLY open on Sunday afternoon.  but is it really going
> to help a station make more QSO's - if anything, it's going to slow
> everyone down - esp. those foolish enough to duke it out in the pileups.
> 
> the dubious spots for the Africa station is more humorous than a cause for
> concern.    a M/M is going to have someone sweeping the band for needed
> mults between the other position's running, a M/2 will have someone
> sweeping on one band while the other is running on the dominant band, and
> a SO is going to be busy running like the devil on 20m ;)
> 
> packet is a tool.  it takes 2 seconds to decide if the spotted station is
> the one on the freq.  according to good practice, you should know who you
> are calling before you transmit, right?  so if the call is busted you
> already know that and can hit ALT+F3 after you have them in the log to
> "fix" the spot.
> 
> much ado about nothing if you ask me.  if your score and fun are so
> heavily connected to the accuracy of the packet spots, then i think you
> are missing mults yet to be spotted.  like 1/2 of the action on 10m Sunday
> afternoon - if you needed to see the spots than you most likely were
> missing Q's while stuck in the pileups.
> 
> what should be more of an issue is the horrid audio and nearly 15kHz
> splatter that some SA's seemed to be proud of.  IMO, that is more harmful
> than a busted spot.  that's 15kHz that could have been in the "clear" for
> others to use.  40m was a mad house and this didn't help matters.
> 
> -Steve, WM3O
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