[TenTec] New Radios in the Future

Tue Nov 4 09:05:12 EST 2014

WELL, I can't let that one ride, Phil.
And I know there was a bit of tongue in cheek there.
(Here too)

Believe it or not, you have to be a better operator today with all of this
automation, than you used to have to be before computers.

In the past we searched for our own multipliers and found the juicy ones in
the middle of pileups, with 10 people calling him.

Now with skimmers and spotting, when you find a multiplier, whether alone or
using assistance, you'll find about 100 people calling him, most of which
are twice as strong as him.  Trying to get through and recognizing if and
when he sends your call sign through the QRM can be quite an accomplishment.

Also, the radios have gotten so good that on CW, there are often 2 layers of
QSOs (stations "running") on the same frequency.  Sometimes it's even 3.  I
occasionally work 2 or 3 QSOs back to back while "pouncing" without even
touching the VFO. All I touched was the passband tuning. This requires a lot
of skill.

So anyone who thinks there is no skill involved anymore must be related to
Walter Mitty.  ;-)

Quitting contesting is easy; I have quit contesting 3 or 4 times already.  
But I was like the guy who has quit smoking 3 or 4 times.  
I held out for 10 months but when CQWW came around, I caved in to the habit.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)

-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Phil
Sussman
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 2:42 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment; Bob McGraw - K4TAX
Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Radios in the Future

A little OT, but my soap box is right here and has been unused recently:

I have also resigned from contest participation. Whether its the newer
versions of radios or the attitude of the operators, the end result is that
contests have become cut-throat and obsessive.

It used to be fun for me -- the days of using a paper log and resulting good
sportsmanship. The start of the end was computerized log checking, where
every contact was suspected fraud unless it could be verified by appearance
in another log. Many contacts were disqualified when other operators didn't
bother to submit a log.

Computerized operation, taken to the extreme, means a computer can run
multiple rigs -- make all exchanges prearranged and logged in full
compliance automatically -- converted to ADIF and then submitted without
operator intervention. The operator can merely watch or sleep while claiming
victory as the winning certificate is automatically printed.

Ah, the cynic -- hiding out on 17m during contests. What's that you say?
Contesting is now expanded to 17m? Golly, where to hide now?

Grin :)

73 de Phil - N8PS

Bob McGraw - K4TAX <RMcGraw at Blomand.net>:

> I'm really glad I DO NOT participate in contests. It seems like a very 
> stressful way to have fun and enjoy the hobby. It seems no different 
> than the outcome of the recent NASCSR event this weekend.
> That ended up in fistfight among drivers and crew members. I agree, 
> the typical discipline of the operators, and this was observed this 
> past weekend, is less than anything commendable.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" 
> <Rick at DJ0IP.de>
> To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 12:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Radios in the Future
>
>
>> Don, I can assure you I had more fun operating that OLD stuff than I 
>> do operating in today's computerized mode.
>> But I can't even come close to the score I make today, using the old 
>> equipment and techniques.
>>
>> Part of the problem is the poor discipline of the operators of many 
>> of the DX stations.
>> They changed the rules to where every station has to give his call 
>> sign at least once per minute.
>> But they don't. In fact I saw several going for 5 or 10 minutes in 
>> the recent CQWW SSB, and when they finally gave their call (just 
>> once), it was buried in a landslide of stations calling them.
>>
>> Without a band scope or packet spot, I wouldn't even know who's on 
>> frequency.
>>
>> There is nothing more frustrating than sitting on frequency of a huge 
>> pileup for 10 minutes, only to find out you've already worked the guy
yesterday.
>> Using the lovely old station pictured on my web, that's what I would 
>> be doing today.
>>
>> BTW, here is a picture of my 1980s contest station:
>> http://www.dj0ip.de/my-station/bremen-1981/
>>
>> The Drake Line was my run station, and I used the Omni and home-brew 
>> amplifier to its left to chase multipliers on other bands. I had a 
>> quad on a pole in the back yard, and a beam on top of the house.
>>
>> THOSE WERE THE DAYS! ;-)
>>
>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don 
>> Rasmussen via TenTec
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 5:42 AM
>> To: tentec at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] New Radios in the Future
>>
>> I am sure that the computer could completely take over the station, 
>> and run it to much higher scores.
>>
>> =======================================================
>>
>>
>> All of this has already been done, and not that recently.
>>
>> No fun in that. In my mind the photo on DJ0IP Rick's page showing 
>> Drakes, Dentron, TT, and a classic room with open tables just rules. 
>> How can it ever get any better than that?
>>
>> I was watching an ARRL Flex review on utube last night after all this 
>> talk on the list. Reviewer says in summary "anything you could 
>> possibly think of is here, please just don't forget to operate" He was
serious.
>>
>> =============================================
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Climbing into my flame proof suit... 73, Steve WA9JML 
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>
>
>
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