[CQ-Contest] Preview of CQWW Rules 2015

[Dick Green WC1M]

This is good to know. It wasn't clear from the preview whether
single-frequency CW decoders were being targeted. Now we can see that they
are, and with good justification. Like you, the ARRL CAC never considered
the dual-CQ scenario you described. In retrospect, I can see where
single-frequency decoders can be of great help in other SO1R and SO2R
situations, like stacking calls on the run radio and turning S&P into a
visual experience that doesn't distract or cause fatigue like different
audio signals in each ear. Assisted ops take note!

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Randy Thompson K5ZD [mailto:k5zd at charter.net]
> Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2015 4:03 PM
> To: john at kk9a.com; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Preview of CQWW Rules 2015
> 
> Be careful when you make statements like this. " I do not see any
> competitive advantage to using [CW decoder]..."
> 
> Let's say that a CW single op wants to try to run on two bands at the same
> time. He sets up his dueling CQ macros so that while he is copying the
> exchange on one radio, he is transmitting a CQ on the other.
> 
> This works, but it is difficult to shift concentration between the two
radios,
> especially when you have stations calling at the same time you are
finishing
> copying an exchange.
> 
> Now let's say he puts a CW decoder on the audio output of one or both
> radios.  While he finishes copying the exchange, a list of calls is
appearing in
> the CW decoder or in his logging software.  He clicks on a call or hits a
macro
> function key to grab the call and start sending the exchange. He may never
> have heard the station that he is responding to.
> 
> The future is going to have more and more of this kind of software
> automation and technology convergence. Things are never what they appear
> when first introduced.  SCP is a good example.  We might classify it
> differently if it appeared today.
> 
> Ultimately, I see a future where all single ops are the in the same class
and
> free to use whatever technology they can handle.  At the same time, there
> will be a protected category where the "boy and his radio" guys can
identify
> themselves and compete against like-minded contesters.
> 
> Until then, we have to draw lines.
> 
> Imagine another future where simply putting your mouse over a signal in an
> SDR starts decoding the CW.  Or what if the software defined radio
included
> displaying a text waterfall rather than signals? You could just read the
band!
> The mind boggles.
> 
> I had never considered using a CW decoder to put an op in assistance until
> the scenario above not only happened, but clearly demonstrated an
> advantage!
> We need to decide what skills a contest should test.
> 
> Randy, K5ZD
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf
> > Of john at kk9a.com
> > Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2015 6:32 PM
> > To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Preview of CQWW Rules 2015
> >
> > So using a CW Decoder now puts you in the assisted category? I do not
> > see any competitive advantage to using one and it allows less
> > proficient operators to enjoy the contest. Will a RTTY decoder be
> > allowed in CQWW RTTY?
> > Certainly using Super Check Partial or prefills offers more assistance
> > than a CW decoder.
> >
> > John KK9A
> >
> >
> > To:	cq-contest at contesting.com
> > Subject:	Re: [CQ-Contest] Preview of CQWW Rules 2015
> > From:	Steve London <n2icarrl at gmail.com>
> > Reply-to:	n2ic at arrl.net
> > Date:	Fri, 22 May 2015 07:56:31 -0600
> >
> > On 05/21/2015 11:10 PM, Dick Green WC1M wrote:
> > Comments on CWWW Rules 2015:
> >
> > VIII. DEFINITION OF TERMS
> >
> > 2. QSO alerting assistance
> >
> > The only thing the change does is prohibit single-frequency CW
> > decoders, which provide no competitive advantage and may be needed by
> > ops with hearing problems.
> >
> > It doesn't "prohibit" single-frequency CW decoders, it just means that
> > use of a single-frequency CW decoder places you in the Assisted
category.
> > What's so bad about that ?
> >
> > 73,
> > Steve, N2IC
> >
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