Topband: spectrum scopes, swling and contests

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Bill, 

>          Sam this is not intended to criticize anyone but simply to 
> make everyone aware of contest rules regarding the use of CW 
> decoders.  Using decoders like MRP40 or VE3NEA's CW Skimmer for most 
> contests (including the TBDC) puts you in the Multiop category (or 
> Assisted category for some contests).  See the TBDC rule 6 below:

MRP is a single channel decoder.  In this case it is no different 
than using a panadapter (SDR without decoding) and single channel 
CW Decoder (e.g., WriteLog).  That is not (yet) prohibited for any 
single operator class in any contest as far as I can tell. 

> I believe it's important that we maintain the distinction of human- 
> copied versus machine-copied CW, otherwise our contests will evolve 
> into who has the biggest computer rather than who has the best ears.  

That distinction was lost when the FCC with the support of ARRL 
effectively eliminated CW proficiency as a requirement for licensing. 
Whether we like it or not, the horse has already left the barn and 
computer decoded CW will become an increasingly large portion of all 
amateur CW activity - including contesting - and CW will eventually 
become just one more "digital" mode.   

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: topband-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill Tippett
> Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 8:51 AM
> To: topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: spectrum scopes, swling and contests
> 
> 
> K5OAI wrote:
> 
> Using the above setup and throwing in the MRP40 cw decoding 
> software, I am able to copy signals that I didn't even know 
> were there when scanning the band by ear. I can find them on 
> the pan as well as the waterfall displays and then squeeze 
> down all the filters and copy signals using MRP40 that just 
> sound like noise to my ears, even though they barely show in 
> the panfall 
> display. I realize
> there are many pgms that will decode cw, but MRP40 seems 
> (imo) to be best at weak signal decoding. Anyone have another 
> pgm thy would recommend for this please do so.
> 
>          Sam this is not intended to criticize anyone but simply to 
> make everyone aware of contest rules regarding the use of CW 
> decoders.  Using decoders like MRP40 or VE3NEA's CW Skimmer for most 
> contests (including the TBDC) puts you in the Multiop category (or 
> Assisted category for some contests).  See the TBDC rule 6 below:
> 
> 6. Prohibited activities: Cluster spotting shall not be 
> engaged.  Remote
>     operation is permitted as long as all transmitting and 
> receiving antennas
>     used are within 100 km of each other.  Use of skimmer 
> like devices are
>     permitted for the multi-operator category only.
> 
> http://jzap.com/k7rat/stew.rules.txt
> 
>          Regarding waterfalls, I personally prefer CW Skimmer's to 
> any of the many I've tried (including PowerSDR, Winrad, Spectran, DSP 
> Blaster etc).  CW Skimmer also has a Blind Mode which doesn't decode 
> calls so it can legally be used in Single Operator or Unassisted 
> categories.  I believe it's important that we maintain the 
> distinction of human-copied versus machine-copied CW, otherwise our 
> contests will evolve into who has the biggest computer rather than 
> who has the best ears.  I have yet to find any decoding program that 
> can match the human ear for pulling weak signals out of noise in a 
> contest environment.  QRSS might work better but who wants to spend 
> an hour or more completing one QSO!  :-)
> 
> 73 & Happy New Year!
> 
> Bill  W4ZV
> 
> P.S.  Thanks for the QSO in the Stew Perry.  I always get a thrill 
> from hearing you and knowing about your QRP setup.
> 
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> _______________________________________________
> "160-meters is a band for men, not for sissies!" - SM5EDX