[CQ-Contest] Skimmers and Rules

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

This is interesting. I was playing catch up, reading through the messages 
queued since last night.

I was about to suggest a new contest be created to test and exploit the CW 
Skimmer technology. It would be an opportunity to push the technology ahead 
faster. I'm thinking along the lines of the "Robot Wars" carried out by 
Engineering students. For those not familiar with these events, here are a 
few links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_combat  But notice there is "Prohibited 
weaponry" identifying things outside the spirit of competition or for safety 
reasons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Wars

My contest idea would be a 4-hour event. The participants could operate in a 
25 KHz chunk of the CW bands, "the ring". There would be an Unlimited class. 
Entrants of this class would need fully automated stations. No human 
operator would be allowed other than to start the Skimmer technology and 
shut it down at the end. Skimmers could work other Skimmers or humans. Let 
the best Skimmer claim the top prize. Sorry, no plaques for the Unlimited 
class, but maybe a nice certificate in machine readable format?

When you begin to think about this, a lot of "what if's" quickly surface. 
What if the computer hangs? What if the rotor sticks? What if the SWR goes 
nuts? What if a signal fades? What if there is intentional QRM? What if a 
fuse blows?

These "what if's" quickly reveal all the skills beyond copying CW in your 
head that are required to be a successful contester. A Skimmer presenting 
you with a list of callsigns and frequencies doesn't automatically put you 
into the Top Ten box. I am undecided whether this technology will shuffle 
the ranking, although I believe the possibility exists.

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marijan Miletic" <s56a at bit.si>
To: <CQ-Contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Skimmers and Rules


> Maybe we should be talking about an entirely new class structure for
> single-ops -- something like "Advanced" and "Traditional".  Or maybe three
> levels - "Traditional", "Advanced" and "Unlimited".
>
> Considering WPX cats success and long debate on 30 hours extention, we 
> might
> rename 48 hours SO2R manual diehards as Rookie class :-)  Also known as
> Ludists.
>
> 73 de Mario, S56A, N1YU