[CQ-Contest] The Value of Spotting Networks

[Paul J. Piercey]

Thanks Art,

I am fairly comfortable with logging software but one thing I never do is
assume the cluster is correct. If you're just jumping from spot to spot and
relying on others to provide all the info, you must have a pretty high UBN
rate. It also takes the fun out of tuning for that weak rare one.

In the contests where I use the cluster, it's for a specific purpose and I
always verify the callsign myself first. A lot of the time I'm just trying
to get new countries and other counters. If all that gets spotted in a
DXcontest is domestic spots, that's no good either. And, quite frankly, as
one responder pointed out, not all the good stuff gets spotted.

No, I've resolved to wean myself off the cluster and go it alone in major
contests. I did better this past weekend without it than I did last year
with it; granted I have an amp and a better antenna system now.


73 -- Paul VO1HE  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Art 
> Searle W2NRA
> Sent: November 28, 2006 23:16
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] The Value of Spotting Networks
> 
> Hi Paul,
> 
> I don't think you understand how modern contest software 
> works.  Working the CQWW CQ consists of the following:
> 
> 1. Hit Control plus down arrow Keys (tunes radio to next spot 
> on bandmap) 2. Enter Key brings callsign into entry box and 
> calls station 3. Space Key then Enter Key sends your report 
> and logs the station
> 
> That is a total of 4 quick keystrokes to complete a QSO and 
> you've never looked at the monitor or have you had to copy 
> any CW other than your own callsign when sent back to your 
> call.  These contest programs even enter the Zone and most of 
> the time they are right.
> 
> You can continue to hit these 4 keys, time after time, and 
> maintain a pace of up to 3 QSO a minute for a little while 
> anyway.  All dupes and non-counters are skipped.  I think 
> that is pretty good for S&P.
> 
> Assisted is a tremendous advantage.  My point is you can work 
> assisted and work fast and never even look at the monitor.
> 
> 73 Art W2NRA  
> 
> >I concede that a single op watching the cluster is, in all 
> likelihood, 
> >not going to win a contest. God knows I have never won a 
> contest doing 
> >that :)
> >
> >I contend that ops use the cluster for the "perceived" 
> advantage that 
> >the individual op hopes to gain. Maybe it's getting the 
> sweep in SS.... 
> >maybe it's getting new countries on various bands in CQWW. 
> Whatever it 
> >is, it is entirely their decision based on what they want to 
> get out of 
> >it. When you're watching a monitor screen instead of working 
> stations, 
> >you're not winning.
> >
> >
> >73 -- Paul VO1HE
> 
> 
> 
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