[CQ-Contest] LY9W ? - time to ban SCP?

[Bill Parry]

Charly,

I disagree with you.  I still have fun with the contests. I can't manage to
do full time operation anymore but I usually set a goal for myself of a
certain amount of time or number of stations. I do not use SCP but I do use
the cluster in DX contests...I am still looking for band countries.  I don't
always send in the entries but I do post the score on 3830 and upload them
to LOTW. As mentioned before you have to be careful with the call signs
posted on the cluster because there are a lot of folks that make mistakes. I
do wish that they would be more careful.  I almost always have some people
who work me and are in the log but they have my call as WH4X instead of
W5VX...usually between 5 and 10 a contest. I suspect the number depends on
whether I am posted on the cluster incorrectly. (I guess they get excited
about a new one or something).

I am convinced that a lot of DX stations would not have so many errors if
they identified after every QSO. It was our policy at 6D2X back in 1990s and
we were able to break a lot of ARRL test records when that station was
operational.

I realize that operating from your location might make your point of view
very different from mine.


Bill W5VX

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
Charles Harpole
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2015 7:13 PM
To: kr2q at optimum.net
Cc: CQ-Contest Reflector
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] LY9W ? - time to ban SCP?

Doug, I fully agree with you, but we must face the fact that contesting is
no more.  Automation of all kinds has removed the original reason for
contests... copying skill improvement and fun.
Now a "contest" is an exercise in using data bases and automated stations
which are very different skills.  Mourn for the good old days and contest
for yourself, not the other bogus scores.

My reaction is to seldom send in a log and never even look at other
scores.... meaningless now.... and no way to recover the former contest
ways.
73, Charly

On Thu, Jul 30, 2015 at 6:07 PM, <kr2q at optimum.net> wrote:

> OK, I admit it.  I have NEVER been a proponent of SCP (or that ilk).  
> So I'll once again (been many years now, so it's time) ask why SCP is 
> allowed for non-assisted entries (or at all).
>
> For me, either you copy the call, zone, SN, name, SEC, etc yourself or 
> you don't.
>
> So much has been automated during a contest, just what is left for the 
> entrant to do that
> demonstrates actual contest skill?   Not even copy the call sign?
>
> At the heart of each contest QSO is getting the call and exchange right.
> If you have to rely
> on a database (EG SCP), was that really a valid QSO?
>
> Going back ages, I recall a DX ham (Riki) who used "a database" on 160m.
> When challenged,
> he said that the database only helped him to confirm the call he had 
> copied.  Really?  If you knew you had copied it, why need to "check?"  
> Of course, the answer is that it wasn't "copied," but needed to be 
> teased out.  I mean, it's a long way from most eastern part of zone 20 
> to the rest of the world.
>
> More recently, a well-known contester that I have always respected, 
> gave me an example of what he felt was an "appropriate use" of SCP.  
> "Let's say I'm on 75m and the band is noisy and I just can't confirm 
> the other guys full call.  If I look at SCP, I can see a list of calls 
> and I can say, 'Is your call XY1ABC?' and if he says YES, then I know 
> I have a good contact."  Huh?  For me, this is exactly why SCP should 
> NOT be allowed.
> THAT was a "good"
> QSO?  You never copied his full call.  You took an total GUESS base on 
> SCP.  What if he didn't say YES?  Then what?  No QSO or "take a 
> chance?"
>
> Other arguments include, "Why should I be penalized for not having as 
> good a memory for call signs as K1AR (or your favorite contester)?"  
> Just because he can remember 10,000 calls doesn't mean I'm not as a 
> good a contester.  So I use SCP to make up for that aspect.
>
> And I suppose he also runs 10KW to "make up" for atmospheric losses.
>
> Really, there is NO legitimate reason to use SCP during a contest 
> unless you just want to have FUN also sending the guys name during a 
> contest which does not require that you copy his/her name.
>
> It always is disappointing to me to see the URGENT plea's to share 
> your log file so that SCP can be updated.
>
> SCP is just pure BS for the true (honest) contester.  Too late?  Can't 
> get the genie back into  the bottle?  Yes, I know.  But that doesn't 
> mean it is right.
>
> de Doug KR2Q
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>



--
Charly, HS0ZCW
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