[CQ-Contest] N6TJ AXIOMS OF LIFE

[Jim Neiger]

Hi Barry:

   Well, you might think that Cluster spots have increased my QSO rate 
significantly.   Sadly, the opposite appears to be true.

Example:  W2UP spots ZD8Z on 14035.  Suddenly a few hundred have hit 14035 
on their packet screen, and everyone lands virtually on the same frequency. 
Even with your prolific CW copying skills, Barry,  you might have difficulty 
working 200+ hours with everyone calling you on the EXACT SAME FREQUENCY. 
Especially if they're all about S5.  Rather, for me at least, the best 
pileups are spread about 5 - 10 KHz wide, and those who know my style, do 
exactly that, as I'm nibbling on the edges of the pileup.  So everyone 
landing on the same packet-spotted frequency are doing themselves, and the 
DX operator a great dis-service.

My best ( clock) hour ever on CW was 237, in 1993, well before cluster mania 
took off.  In fact, if you  would listen to my tape, you would hear barely a 
pileup,  just one or two calling at a time.  Clearly not spotted on packet. 
In fact, it was my friend N6AA who educated many of us, back in the 1970's, 
that the perfect contest pile-up has ONE station calling at a time.

When you're old and realize your best years on in your rear-view mirror, all 
you have left are the memories.  Two that will always be special for me are 
(1) my 208 hour from 8P6J in 1982, believed to be the first ever 200 hour in 
a contest, and (2) the first ever 5000 QSO's in a one weekend CW contest. 
And in 1969, I set the all-time  CW contest  QSO record from ZD8Z with 5704 
(as Casey would say, "you can look it up").  But that one doesn't count, 
because it was over 88 hours when ARRL DX was two weekends.

And you want "tube rig, bug, and paper log", Barry?

The 1982 8P6J operation was with a Drake TR-7.  The 1993 ZD8Z was a TS-950. 
And since you're looking for a tube radio as a standard, my 1969 ZD8Z was a 
Collins 32S-3.  I didn't use a computer until 1991.  The 1969 was with a 
legal pad, pencil, and eraser.  No bug, but my Hallicrafters HA-1 keyer and 
simple paddle.  I did start using a Curtis Memory Keyer in 1972, but  many 
years with pen and paper.

Please trust me, no braggadocio is intended in any of the above.  There are 
numerous operators far more skilled than I.  Rather, I've been very 
fortunate to sometimes be in the right place at the right time.  Nothing 
more, nothing less.  Plus a lot of help from my No. 1 Axiom of Life: 
"Outlast The Bastards"...............

 I just believe that there are mis-conceptions as to what packet  might add 
to one's enjoyment and rates.  That packet adds to instantaneous pileups is 
without question, and probably  helps those not inclined to tune their 
receiver, and, some DX will work those not seriously in the contest, thusly 
adding to the overall number worked.    But reflecting back to what I call 
the glory years of contesting,  proud to have called W9IOP, W4KFC, KH6IJ, 
W6CF, K0DQ,  N6AA, OH2MM, OH2BH, and too many to name here, my friends and 
teachers, it's just galls me to see the diminution of operating skills 
because of your "technology marching on"............

  Before too long, your technology will have contesting limited to computers 
talking to computers, and the one who wins the contest will undoubtedly have 
the best computer skills.  At that point, I'll be staying home, listening to 
my 1986 D44BC CQ CW tapes, with a glass of Jack in-hand, and marveling over 
the way real operator's could do it.  Please send me a post-card, Barry, and 
let me know how it worked out for you, and friends.

Vy 73

Jim Neiger  N6TJ

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Barry" <w2up at comcast.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 11:13 AM
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] N6TJ AXIOMS OF LIFE

> Jim,
> What you are missing is the fact that Cluster spots have increased your
> QSO rate very significantly, compared with the pre-Cluster days.
> Increased dupes, unfortunately, come along for the ride.  Perhaps you
> had 350 dupes out of 5K QSOs, but go back 25-30 years and see how many
> total QSOs you had compared with a recent contest.
>
> Technology marches on, whether you like it or not.  Would you prefer to
> go back to your tube rig, bug, and paper log with OpAid 6?
>
> 73,
> Barry W2UP
>
> S56A wrote:
>> N6TJ wrote:  It's late, and now every time I read the word DUPE, it's
>> increasingly looking like I wrote DOPE.
>>
>> Leave "DUPE"!  It makes us Slavs laugh as it means "ASS" in our languages
>> :-)
>>
>> "DOPE" could be better associated with schizofrenic SO2R and 48 hours 
>> awake
>> madness.  Just survived 24 hours of two independent audio streams as WRTC
>> refree.
>>
>> I am glad our hobby has K1JT, K1TTT and other tech gurus!  CQ WW made 
>> right
>> step with advanced EXTREME category.  We kept our heads in sand about DX
>> Cluster for 25 years and now comes surprise about some bad side effects. 
>> I
>> enjoy spotting and sharing rare DX .  In the best tradition of WRTC 
>> Olympian
>> spirit.
>>
>> 73 de Mario, S56A, N1YU, MSc EE retired
>>
>> P.S.  I am programming again after almost 20 years.  It is entirely
>> different environment now and I can hardly cope.  But I know the change 
>> is
>> for better as I enjoy freedom of information over internet as never 
>> before!
>> Long live CW :-(
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
> -- 
>
> Barry Kutner, W2UP             Lakewood, CO
>
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