[RTTY] rckskimmer, still worth setting up?

[Ktfrog007 at aol.com]

Hi Jurgen,
 
I use the v3.2 RCKskimmer in RTTY contests.  I was going to upgrade to  the 
new VE3NEA RTTY skimmer server, but the Quicksilver QS1R is no longer  
manufactured and I decided to wait for its replacement.  I know there are  other 
SDRs to use, but I'll wait.
 
In the meantime I also have old gear lying around that works fine with the  
RCKskimmer and since most of my RTTY contesting is single band, it does an  
adequate job.  I need to be smart about the scanning range as it expands  
and contracts during the contest and readjust the RCKskimmer accordingly.   
When I enter on all bands, I can usually skim two bands, again paying 
attention  to the open bands and frequency ranges as the hours pass.
 
There are some problems with "DE" stations, but I have not found them  to 
be objectionable.  
 
Even with its inefficiencies, running my own RCKskimmer is better than  
using local skimmers (KM3T, 55 km and K1TTT, 146 km) who have better antennas  
than I do and hear a lot of stuff I don't.  Plus there are spotlight  
effects where we don't hear the same stations.  If I can skim it, I can  hear it 
(and maybe work it).
 
There are problems running a skimmer on very small property.   There's no 
way I can skim and transmit at the same time.  My whole station,  including 
antennas, is in a very small volume.  I use a splitter to break  out a line 
to the skimmer receiver from my FT-2000 receiving antenna loop, with  a loss 
of about 4.5 db.  This loss usually isn't a problem and I can  disable the 
loop by hitting one button.   
 
I Telnet the data from the skimmer system to my main rig via my home Wi-Fi  
system, just as if it was any other skimmer out there.  The reasoning is I  
eventually want to relocate the skimmer to another nearby location so  I 
can skim continuously (without interfering with myself) and access it via  
Telnet.  One more future project when I get an SDR.
 
This has worked well for me but I'm hoping I can upgrade to the new skimmer 
 server soon.  "Soon" being undefined and indefinite.
 
Also, you can use the RCKskimmer for PSK.
 
Outside of contests I usually just hook up to the local skimmers using the  
VE7CC cluster.  
 
73,
Ken, AB1J
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/17/2016 08:53:34 Coordinated Universal Time,  
list at on5mf.be writes:

Hi,

the nearest station skimming for the digital modes is  some 600km away 
from here. So I was thinking of setting up a modest  skimmer station for 
the digital modes here locally.

I still have  some questions though:

* I have most of the gear I need to run  RCKskimmer (old transceiver
etc). Is it still worth to run  RCKskimmer or is it a waste of time
and resources to set  everything up? I don't know yet if I want to
spend €800+ to  purchase an SDR receiver.
* does RCKskimmer have the same problem  with separating the
'DE-stations' from the  'CQ-stations'?

What do you guys think?

--  
73


Jurgen Geldhof
ON5MF /  OQ6A

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