[CQ-Contest] AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CQ CONTEST COMMITTEE

[Richard DiDonna NN3W]

I fully agree with Tonno.  I've done both SOHP assisted and unassisted - with the #1 SOAB in 2006, the #2 SOAB on 2007 and the #1 SOAB(A) in 2008.  My score in 36 hours in 2008 - assisted - was basically identical to my 45 hour unassisted score in 2007 - unassisted.  

I can say with certainty that a disciplined op running assisted could boost a "box" score by 10 to 20%.  You learn not to chase the packet piles (or you are confident enough to believe that you will win them within 3 calls), you realize that the packet allows you to tell you if an opening on a marginal band is developing, you get automatic band maps on the second band, and you get to spot where your competitors are how they are doing.  When its Sunday at 0600z and you are too physically spent to actually tune the bands on a second radio, the packet allows you to point and shoot your way up and down the band.

Info is power and Assisted is a quantum level of information advancement as opposed to unassisted.

I'll agree with other comments in that it takes out some of the gut intuition that you may have.  And I will definately agree that folks become addicted to packet at the expense of tuning the band. 

73 Rich NN3W


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tonno Vahk" <es5tv at erau.ee>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 4:49 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CQ CONTEST COMMITTEE


> :) I have to speak up here as I just can't calmly read a sentence:
> 
> "I also don't believe that "assistance" really helps you increase your
> score."
> 
> We are talking about box scores here. Stations who have good antennas and
> skills. Yes, there are hundreds of small pistols who don't even realize that
> submit scores in wrong category using packet.
> 
> For a box score SOAB SO2R station packet cluster adds easily 20% or more to
> the score. It is obvious. You don't spend time on "chasing spots" more than
> you would with ordinary S&P. The operation will change from ordinary smooth
> S&P to almost completely jumping on spots. There are a plenty which don't
> have any pile up, especially by the end of the contest. SOAB can easily
> afford not jumping into huge P5 pile up. There are a plenty of easy mults to
> log. This EI on 160m gives as many points.