[RTTY] RTTY Skimmer

[Dave Hachadorian]

In my experience, the VE3NEA RTTY Skimmers are much improved 
lately on spotting stations that are actually calling CQ.  I 
always connect to a CC-Cluster node, using CC-user Software, 
which seamlessly feeds N1MM Logger.  I think the CC Clusters do 
some filtering to validate spots from multiple skimmers.  My 
usual nodes are VE7CC-1 or AE5E-2.

RTTY Skimmers have definitely come of age in the past 12 months. 
Many thanks to all those who are feeding the RBN, both CW and 
RTTY!

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ





-----Original Message----- 
From:  pcooper
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 10:31 AM
To: Al Kozakiewicz
Cc: rtty at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] RTTY Skimmer

Al AB2ZY and the group,

I have local access to a skimmer cluster as well as a normal 
cluster.
Both run simultaneously here in the shack 24/7. Looking at the 
skimmer cluster, I repeatedly see spots for stations that are 
responding to a CQ call, rather than calling CQ themselves.

I have tried using the skimmer cluster in a contest, and that 
simply clogs up the bandmap with loads of spots that aren't 
calling CQ.
I know the skimmer clusters are supposed to be intelligent and 
only spots calls who are sending CQ, but I see far more spots for 
those that aren't.

Where cluster access is allowed in a contest, I will use the 
normal cluster, as I mostly use it to gauge whether another band 
is open, or worth trying. If there is some juicy DX spotted, I 
may well try for them, depending on the situation, but generally, 
if that juicy DX has just been spotted, it's usually pointless 
trying, as loads of others will already be there.
This was evident during the BARTG contest at the weekend, as I 
came across FP/KV1J calling CQ on 20m, so I tried to get in, but 
he had a mini pile-up going. I did try a couple of times more, 
but then he got spotted, and I gave up, as it just got silly, 
with callers shouting over each other and the exchange in 
progress.
Happily came across him again later, and got in first shout. It 
was similar with HP3/VY2SS.

That's just my own view of things.....

73 de Phil GU0SUP
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