[Skimmertalk] Getting the RBN (and your node) ready for CQWW

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

We've been working hard recently on improving, as much as possible, the 
fail-safeness (is that a word?) of the RBN's central server.  While a 
few single points of failure are inevitable with our current 
architecture, we're trying to make sure that every function will either 
restart automaticallyif it stalls, or else notify several of us that it 
needs attention.

Now, what can you do, as an RBN node operator?  With CW Skimmer, the 
only thing you need to do is to select the CW Contest "band plan" on the 
"Misc" settings tab.  That should give you plenty of coverage,

With Skimmer Server, you need to look at the .ini file you plan to use 
for the contest period.  You'll find a line like this (from the default 
file):


CwSegments=1800000-190000,3500000-3600000,7000000-7079000,10100000-10130000,14000000-14090000,
18068000-18095000,21000000-21090000,24890000-24920000,28000000-28090000,50000000-50100000

You'll note that in the case of Skimmer Server, decoding stops by 
default at 90 KHz above the lower band edge.  In CQWW CW this may not be 
enough, especially on 20-10 meters. Of course, the bandwidth you cover 
directly affects how much CPU is needed, so on a big contest weekend 
it's a bit of a balancing act.

In areas with a lot of RBN nodes, such as Western Europe and the US 
East, you might even want to coordinate with your local colleagues and 
divide up the decoding range.

Have fun!

-- 

73, Pete N4ZR
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