[CQ-Contest] The Paper log one radio, the SO2R and the SDR generations

[Zoran Mladenovic]

I could not said it better myself! Very good explanation Jose. Paper log 
generation should watch skilled SDR generation operator in action, at 
least once!

73
Zoran, YU1EW




On 23.3.2013 1:55, José Nunes CT1BOH wrote:
> The Paper log one radio, the SO2R and the SDR generations
>
> The discussion about merging Assisted and Non Assisted categories, very
> passionate as one would expect, is interesting because in my view it has to
> do with different ways to look at the value of information (callsign and
> frequency data). This information (call sign and frequency data) has
> different value depending on what generation you are coming from because
> contesting is done in different ways. I see three dividing generations:
>
> The paper log one radio generation
> The SO2R generation
> The SDR generation
>
> In the paper log one radio generation we have people who started their
> contesting careers when there was no PCs or packet systems. Back then the
> most important skill was to decide when to stop the RUN and go on S&P mode.
> Stopping the RUN to go on the hunt in S&P mode was fundamental, because it
> was the only way to increase in dramatic terms the multiplier numbers.
> Deciding those moments and finding rare mults was fundamental, therefore
> the value of this activity is very very high for this generation.
>
> The SO2R generation came to full throttle with PC, advanced loggers and
> station automation.
> The big thing about SO2R generation is they managed to extend the
> contesting time from 48 hours to ~77 hours because they can listen to a
> second radio while the first radio is transmitting (~60% of the time of the
> contest). Also the contest was accelerated in a way that demands both
> physical and concentration abilities not necessary with a SO1R scenario
> (paper log generation). To the SO2R generation operators the value of
> callsign and frequency data is much less than the value attributed to the
> same data by Paper log one radio generation operators. SO2R operators have
> much more time to work the multipliers. They do it with the second radio
> and there is no need to stop the run. They S&P while running. Therefore the
> value of callsign and frequency data is much less than the value to the
> paper log one radio generation. The game has a very different nature.
>
> In the recent SDR generation a dramatic event has occurred that is changing
> and shaping contesting. The contest went from audio only to audio/visual
> event.  Not only the operator is listening to the audio of his channel but
> at the same time he is seeing the full band and the individual traces of
> signals of the stations in the panadapter with different resolutions to
> choose. The SDR generation went from a 500hz dimension event to a full band
> dimension event and for real hard core SDR operator to a full six band
> dimension in six different panadapters. The value of call sign and
> frequency data to SDR generation operators is less than the value
> attributed by SO2R generation operators because it is quicker and easier
> for them to get to stations and of course it is much less than the value
> attributed to paper log one radio generation operators that can only work
> rare multipliers by stopping their RUN.
>
> But a question remains - is the value of callsign and frequency data zero
> or close to zero so that we can say merging the Assisted and Non Assisted
> categories has no consequences? It's closer to zero for SDR generation.
> It's very far from zero to paper log one radio generation.
> But there is still value in callsign and frequency data. Looking at Top
> SOAB (SDR generator operator) versus top SOAB Assisted station and MS
> stations, I estimate the value of callsign and frequency data to be around
> 8-10% percent. A top SOAB SDR generation that decides to jump into SOAB
> Assisted category and do things right (i.e. follow only the really valuable
> “spots” and don't mess with RUN) will be able to increase his multiplier
> totals by around 8-10%.  It's different but not that different to have a
> striking opposition to merging the Assisted and Non Assisted categories
>
> A laughable point to me in this discussion is the notion transmitted by
> paper log one radio generation that they are the ones who know how to do
> things and they do it the noble way. I say laughable, even though I have
> great admiration by some of those paper log one radio generation icon
> operators, because they have no idea of what they are talking about. They
> are stuck in a time and in a contest that is very different form the
> contest that is played by the new generation.They try to preach to a
> generation that doesn’t want to go back because things are more dynamic,
> more interesting, more intense and for sure more fun.
> The paper log one radio generation unique skill of knowing when to stop the
> run and go S&P is no longer necessary when using SO2R and SDR/Panadapters
> and topped with assistance it’s even more heartbreaking to them. But that’s
> the way things are. There’s no time machine and the clock keeps ticking
> forward. In an image, the paper log one radio generation operate as if they
> are stuck inside a cave listening to a signal coming from the end of the
> cave, while the SDR generation are out at night, looking at every signal in
> the universe represented by the stars - the contest the later are playing
> is that different!
>
> I consider myself in the SDR generation because that is the way I operate
> from CR3E. I have no problems combining the Assisted and the Non Assisted
> category. It is an inexorable trend and I have no doubt it will be just a
> matter of time, sooner than later. It is what the SDR generation want, I
> dare to say, because contesting will become more interactive, more
> “social”, more integrated, more real time and for sure a lot more
> attractive to the younger generation of contesters.
>
> Also have not doubts that the winners in the SDR generation need to have
> more skills than the ones that were needed in the paper log one radio
> generation or in the SO2R generation.
>
> José Nunes - CONTEST CT1BOH - http://www.qsl.net/ct1boh
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