[RTTY] RBN access; RTTY Spots

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Hi Phil - keep in mind that the RTTY Skimmer Server is currently in 
alpha test.  We decided to put its spots on the RBN this weekend 
precisely because the Makrothen will generate lots of activity, helping 
us look for different types of errors, of which spotting callers as 
runners is and was one of the most common.

Alex currently has us alpha testers going through lists of busted spots 
that he got off the RBN server after the contest, and comparing with 
detailed logging that produces huge amounts of data at each location. I 
expect that performance in this and other respects will improve markedly 
as a result of this analytical effort.

In the meantime, one smart way to handle these mis-spots, I think, is to 
display them on a bandmap by frequency rather than in a list format such 
as N1MM+'s Available Mults and Qs window.  On a bandmap you can readily 
see when callers are being spotted on a running frequency, particularly 
since the precision required for good RTTY copy makes it likely that 
spots will all be on the same frequency, at least to the nearest 100 Hz.

Bear with us.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 10/13/2014 1:25 PM, Phil Cooper wrote:
> Pete and the group,
>
> I have been watching the RBN cluster with interest for the past few weeks,
> and have noticed some distinct issues.
>
> The function of the RBN is to check for calls with CQ in them, and report
> these calls.
>
> If I call CQ, I hope to see my own callsign listed, and then be able to
> judge where the best propagation is, and thus point my beam to that area.
> What I have seen though is loads of calls being spotted that are calling ME.
>
> This is also readily apparent when some juicy DX is on the band, as there
> are spots for that call, but also spots for each and every caller to the DX
> station.
>
> I was connected to an RBN cluster during the Makrothen contest, and noticed
> that my call kept showing up, even though I was calling someone, not calling
> CQ.
> This led to a bit of confusion for the poor chap I was calling, as some
> seemed to think they were calling me.
>
> I also have doubts about using an RBN cluster in a contest, simply because
> it populates the bandmap with loads of spurious calls.
>
> There is some argument that it does allow you to see where your call is
> being heard, and at what sort of strengths, but this is not useful if your
> call gets populated each time you call someone.
>
> For me, the code needs to be tightened up so that it only detects proper CQ
> calls, and then it may be of more use.
>
> Having said that, it is a useful feature, and I do enjoy seeing where my
> signals get to, so I hope the new venture addresses some of these points.
>
> Thanks for all your efforts, along with those of Alex VE3NEA...
>
> 73 de Phil GU0SUP
>
>
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