[CQ-Contest] Operator vs equipment was Skimmer - What shall we do?

[Michael Coslo]

On Jun 2, 2008, at 9:19 PM, Bob Davis wrote:

> Paul O'Kane wrote:
>
>>> ... isn't skimmer just another technology that really
>>> only benefits those with significantly more means to build
>>> a contest station?  This is certainly true of SO2R.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Not true.  SO2R benefits those who, through self-training,
>> acquire the necessary skills.
>>
>>
> Paul,
>
> While I normally have a high level of respect for your opinion,  
> this is,
> simply and respectfully put, bollocks.
>
> Not true?  Do not radios, amplifiers, switchboxes and filters cost
> money?  Do not towers and antennas cost money?  Quite the opposite of
> being 'not true', it's self-evident to any reasonable person.

My experience has been different. I do often find that a lot of  
people think that you have to spend a lot of money to do well. While  
if all things are equal, the "hotter" setup" will outperform a more  
modest one. If I had to choose between the expensive setup or the hot  
Op, give me the good operator any day.

>   That is
> to say, if you know of a way for me to build a SO2R station without
> these things, please forward the information at once so I can get  
> started!


I've been around enough new guys and gals to know that while  
equipment is nice, the number one critical element is a good  
operator. I've personally experienced a  guy using a 40 meter beam at  
legal limit doing 6 QSO's per hour, while myself and another Op have  
held and run frequencies on 80 and 40 meters using 100 watts and OCF  
dipoles at well over ten times that rate each. Doesn't get much more  
basic than that.

> Sure, SO2R also requires skill.  But if you don't have the dosh to  
> build
> what is essentially a second station, all the skill in the world isn't
> worth a bucket of warm spit.

	Respectfully Bob, I have personal experience that the opposite is  
true. I have my home station, which would be considered okay, but  
nothing special, and access to a mountaintop station in a good  
location, and the difference in operating isn't as big as described.  
Probably the main difference is that my signal will be heard - i.e.  
it stomps on others, at the mountaintop station. That doesn't make up  
for operating skills though.

-73 de Mike N3LI -