[CQ-Contest] down the path with Dave

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Tom, I think maybe you misunderstood where I'm coming from.  Unlike Joe, 
W4TV, I believe that using Skimmer is just like using a cluster, only 
more powerful.  I have never argued for Skimmer use *not* putting 
someone in the assisted category.  I was simply trying to refute 
Charly's argument that it takes all the skill out of operating.

One of the interesting things about CW Skimmer is that it is cumulative. 
For a single op, that means that you can mute the Skimmer SDR while 
you're transmitting, and it will pick up with spotting as soon as you 
stop.  I see this happen all the time here - Skimmer will spot a station 
or two as soon as I am not transmitting any longer.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 12/2/2012 10:29 AM, Tom W8JI wrote:
>> Charly, the only thing that Skimmer replaces is the physical act of 
>> tuning the radio.
>
> For me, the objectionable part of skimmer is the removal or lessening 
> of operator skill. I equate it to using a code reader. Local skimmer, 
> used in single op, replaces the three acts of tuning the radio, 
> copying the call, and entering the call in a data base. It gives the 
> local station a form of automatic spotting system.
>
> The local technical requirements of isolating the receiver from the 
> transmitter are significant on lower bands with high power, but it is 
> possible to do. A conventional SDR here overloaded badly from the 
> transmitter on 160 meters, but I'm sure that could have been cured. On 
> 80 meters and up a local SDR here can get into noise floor without 
> local transmitter problems. The result would be a window filled with 
> locally generated "spots" that require no operator assistance.
>
> I'm not saying this is good or bad, but it sure seems to be contrary 
> to real single-op unassisted. With a low noise floor, a bandmap could 
> fill with hundreds of useful locally generated spots. There isn't much 
> difference between that and using a cluster.
>
> 73 Tom
>