[SECC] Recap WPX "Assisted" Experience Last weekend w/Skimmer

[W5JR - Mike]

I can attest to Ralph's assessment. I've been using Mack's skimmer  
server for a while even for non-contest operation. There are two items  
included in the skimmer spot of use, one is the speed of the sender  
and second is the relative signal to the noise floor at Mack's place.  
Since I live only a couple of miles away, the latter is very helpful  
in evaluating my likely success of working a particular station via  
QRP. If the signal is just a few dB out of the noise, I can wait until  
it builds. If it is very strong, I can usually work them first call on  
a clear band. Also, it allows me to see the difference between the  
antenna on the skimmer receiver and what I'm using at my house. They  
usually track but a few times his hears high angle signals much better  
than mine.

One trick I do is to bring up two instances of the VE7CC client. One  
connected to the VE7CC cluster server and the other connected to the  
skimmer. I usually have my N1MM pointed to the skimmer session to  
populate the band map but keep an eye on the cluster session for those  
spots of stations not needing to send CQ (what the skimmer triggers on).

One thing I've found is that N1MM does not appear to "spot" your own  
call to the band map through the Telnet session. If you are a trustee  
of a club or maybe your household has more than one licensee, you can  
use an alternate call for the Telnet session and "see" your own CQ  
spots.

The skimmer is a great tool to augment your operating experience  
whether contesting (assisted), working/looking for DX, or testing a  
new antenna.

Mike / W5JR

On Jun 6, 2010, at 2:23 PM, "Ralph K1ZZI" <k1zzi at comcast.net> wrote:

> Only IF you like to run Assisted / Unlimited or IF you thought about  
> trying
> this contesting category then check this out.
>
> Occasionally I enjoy running Assisted and I typically use the VE7CC
> Cluster to load my bandmap spots. Last weekend however was my first
> experience running Skimmer.
>
> Using Mack's, WB4MAK Skimmer server and a free WinTelnetX
> program I was able to combine VE7CC Cluster spots and Skimmer
> spots together into my bandmap. The results:  Whoa!!!  OMGosh...
>
> This took my Assisted experience to a completely new level by 10  
> clicks.
> Skimmer beat "useful" Cluster spots big time by "at least" 10 to 1.   
> It
> spots fast.
> In some cases I was locked and loaded on the QRG waiting for the CQ  
> to end.
> No kidding it was that fast.  I couldn't believe it.
>
> One big advantage is Mack's Flex 5000 is located here locally.  He  
> receives
> 7 bands simultaneously and he hears very well.  If Skimmer spots it  
> then
> I will hear it too.  Mack offers free Skimmer server access to SECC  
> and
> SEDXC members!
>
> If you like Assisted / Unlimited contesting or maybe just thinking  
> about it,
> then consider trying this.  QRP and LP can call before it hits the  
> Cluster!
> I will publish more details if anyone is interested.
>
> Ralph K1ZZI
>
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