[CQ-Contest] Skimmer SWL-ing in WPX

[doug smith]

I downloaded Skimmer while in Dayton & got it working yesterday.  Only
in a 500Hz bandwidth and with no CAT.   (actually I let it run for a
few hours Friday with the radio opened up to 6kHz while mowing the
lawn) Operating single-band in the WPX so it really isn't doing any
good in mult-hunting, not that that would really be worth the effort
in this contest!

It is certainly interesting.

The requirement to decode a call twice means that pretty much the only
call that's showing up is my own(grin).    There is a significant
delay in showing a call.  Interestingly the live decode on the bottom
line of the window is much faster - but has LOTS of errors, even on
loud and well-sent signals.  (and those for which the dits & dahs seem
to be showing up properly)  Obviously there's considerable additional
processing between there and the right side of the display.

Even in my worst-case situation I have found Skimmer useful.  The
decoding of audio to dots and dashes in the "sideways waterfall
display" is very effective and fast.  On a couple of occasions when I
wasn't sure of a call or number, I could read it in the dits & dahs on
the screen & send "NR 517?" instead of simply "NR AGN?".

Two "wish list" things:
- It would be nice if the "sideways waterfall" was slower.  Things
scroll off before they can be read.
- It would be nice to have a mode somewhere between "verified calls
only" and everything.  Maybe if it's formatted properly for a
callsign, it shows up; or, if it's in a super-check-partial database,
it shows up.  "Everything" shows up an awful lot of noise, but
"verified" doesn't help the run op much as most callers only call
once.

==
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View, TN  EM66
http://www.w9wi.com