band map updates

[Waltk@PICA.ARMY.MIL]

Eric and Steve have come up with some really neat ideas for
new features within CT, namely:

   The Alt-G allowing packet talk messages to go to an 
   apriori established list of stations.

and

   Ctl-Enter should automatically generate a packet spot (except for 
   single op UNassisted).

Both of these features would add sigbificantly to the traffic 
on an already taxed system.  I can't speak as to the volume of 
traffic on the backbone(s), I can only speak from my narrow 
vantage point as one user, on one end, on a very busy user channel.  
However, some data I gathered over a few contest weekends (as others 
have as well) indicate its not unusual to see 5000+ spots on 
any given weekend.  Given the amount of traffic that already exists, 
the addition of these two features, given the right conditions, 
may slow the response time to nada, zip, zero. Remember folks 
this huge network that encompasses a prominent geographic and 
demographic area. Ever heard of the Wash DC-NY corridor? It lies at 
the heart of PVRC and FRC turf.

I don't mind it if the local user frequencies is full of spots
all weekend long (even the casual DXer usually doesn't object).
But talk messages all weekend long? Going not from one user to
another user, but from one user to 8 other users. It can be 
predicited with mathematical certainty what the worse case 
scenario for this would be (the proof is left to the reader ;).

I feel that these new features should be implemented as switchable
parameters (ala the -FO or -XM switches), or as a configuration
parameter from the logging window. However its implemented it should 
be something the user can control.  There has to be a way to turn this 
off, even if you're multi-op or SOA and not just Single-Op. Also, the
network nodes are (usually) in private ownership. I'm not sure if
the sysops would be all that happy, especially if the talk messages
and redundant packet spots impact negatively on the club score.
All I'm saying is that these things may have broader ramifications
and should not be entered into in haste.

73 de K2WK - Walt (my middle name is ***DISCONN

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