[CQ-Contest] Absurd Rule in NAQP

[Tom Haavisto]

Hi Pete

There is more to this than getting on and out of a pileup quickly.

Assuming everyone followed - and was able to master your technique of
getting in/out fast - before the pileup forms, that would simply make the
pileup start faster, and the 'trick' would no longer work.

But - there is more to that that.  Folks have become accustomed to 'point
and shoot'.  The cluster gives them the call.  Click on the spot, and there
they are.  Throw in your call, and in your log they go.  But - this does
not always work as advertised.  They spotted guy moves.  His call was
busted.  50 people see the same spot and click on the link.  INSTANT and
massive pileup!

I am sure we have all been in pileups where the running guy ID's every 5-10
minutes.  He does not need to ID - the cluster takes care of that for him.
This puts unassisted folks at a huge disadvantage.  Then - when he does ID
- he is covered up...  <Sigh>.

On the running side - one needs to call CQ and ID - A LOT to keep putting
Q's in the log.  Yes - there is a technique to this, and the best way to
learn is by doing.  If you are a relative newbie to contesting, you are NOT
ready to handle a massive pileup on your first outing!  Faced with a mob,
many would just spin the dial and revert back to S&P.

That is what NAQP - and no cluster - gives us.  The opportunity to learn -
and master the techniques of finding folks to work - by spinning the VFO,
not just clicking on a spot.  It gives newbie an opportunity to run -
without being overrun by a massive pileup - every time they call CQ.

If folks want to use the cluster, use high power, and not follow the rules
- or the intent of the rules - thats fine.  They want to master the
technique of getting in/out fast - fine.  Just - don't expect to submit the
log as a competitive one for scoring purposes.


I would also add - your idea of "classic done the right way" in the CQWW
misses the whole point of Classic!  The idea is "Just a boy and his radio"
 Like when WE started.  ONE radio.  NO cluster.  Next CQWW - give it a try
the right way - you just might like it :-)

Tom - VE3CX








On Sun, Jan 17, 2016 at 8:46 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com>
wrote:

> Ed, I did it all the time in CQWW 2014.  I decided to try "classic as it
> should be" category, same time rules as Classic except assistance allowed.
> I had my best score in 16 years, and my third best ever, despite operating
> less than 24 hours.  There are techniques which, if properly managed, will
> allow an RBN-assisted competitor to get in and out of those pileups. I
> agree that the unassisted op is likely to find a bigger pileup when
> assisted ops are allowed, by the time he gets there, but to me this is more
> a product of evolution as applied to amateur radio contestingthan anything
> to be bewailed.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Download the new N1MM Logger+ at
> <http://N1MM.hamdocs.com>. Check
> out the Reverse Beacon Network at
> <http://reversebeacon.net>, now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
>
> On 1/17/2016 5:07 PM, Ed Sawyer wrote:
>
>> Pete, N4ZR stated
>>
>> "With all, as they say, due respect, assisted operation with the RBN
>>
>> requires different skills, but if you have figured it out you should be
>>
>> into and out of that pileup before it has the chance to mushroom."
>>
>>
>> Pete, With all due respect, you need to get out more buddy.  Try coming on
>> CQ WW CW as a mildly rare mult for the first time on a new band.  And tell
>> me that you are getting into and out of that pileup before it has a chance
>> to mushroom.
>>
>>
>> The firehouse goes both ways with RBN.  As a mildly rare mult who is loud
>> from Vermont in ARRL DX, I can tell you that unless you have a stack of
>> monobanders and full power, you would not be getting in and out of the
>> pileup on me before it mushrooms when I first come on 20, 15, or 10 on
>> Saturday.
>>
>>
>> 73
>>
>>
>> Ed  N1UR
>>
>>
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