Topband: Use of Remote Receivers During 160 Meter Contests

Sun Mar 15 17:48:24 EDT 2015

I have contributed in the past to some of the Remote RX discussions and at some point felt all was said.
But I let me ‘wrap up’ some of them and based on general topics, vent my opinion here.

FUN
That is what this hobby is about, right?
This is more focusing on the psychic level and can be had at any kind of station and/or level of achievement.
It does require you to do a reality check, verify which kind of personal or shared result you like best, and how to leverage reasonable goals.
Opposed to the need for peer recognition, demand respect (WTF is that in a hobby??) or crush the top 3 opponents, whatever it takes.

Contesting since ‘87, has convinced me and my Hamradio friends; “it’s all about enjoying the path”. But you knew that already, right?

ENDING IN THE TOP 10 IN CONTESTING
Contesting is a superb mix between casual participants, enjoying the numerous possibilities of a contest, giving some points, scoring that rare one. And then there is the top level who compete at Olympic level and have similar focus and dedication.
Like at serious sports levels; you need some talent, but MUCH more years of practice, learning by doing....a lot.
The achievement comes from what you personally put into it.
Not taking any “shortcut”.

THIS HOBBY IS ABOUT TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT, INNOVATION
Damned well it is!
It does not matter whether you are an XXL topband competitor owning a big station, or you participate from a tiny home-QTH in the city, like me.
>From end of March till October  you do need to review, analyze, plan, investigate, experiment week by week, to get to a better result next time.
At my new QTH, starting with 3 different small RX antennas, the first time I ended up somewhere in the #40’s  during CQWW-160-CW. The next time after a lot of experiments, using other RX antennas (because local noise raised 8-15dB), diversity RX with another special designed antenna and zillion changes in and around my shack, I ended #13. This took me lots of design&work, which was monthly organized in a planning file (XLS available on request).

Same for our club-station. At numerous occasions the team built and tested antennas. Tried the new antennas during other available contests. Rebuilt the whole shack again and again, took it to the next level in contesting. Both incremental and major station improvements are needed to get you and the team forward. At many levels we would educate ourselves to sharpen both our knowledge and operator qualities.
At the University of Technology in Eindhoven (PI4TUE) we enjoyed our antennas being >220ft AGL at a gigantic roof. But the QTH also proved to be a serious noise challenge on the lowbands. It took 8 (!) years of experimenting to have a well working Lowband RX antenna. 
Did we need a “shortcut” at that? Hell no! 
PI4TUE was active in contesting for some 23 years. The large, high building was recently closed. That allows us for finding new opportunities in the future next to remembering the many happy hours of designing, building and contesting.

Innovation, thinking out of the box, experimenting, incremental improvements at all possible disciplines at your station is a must.

There should not be a shortcut, just because it’s an easy way out.

REMOTE RX STATIONS BEING A NOVEL TECHNICAL CHALLENGE.
Yes by all means.
In fact, we OWN one for some 6 years now. We have been using it during many experiments at home to compare our city antennas against the very quiet remote rx site. But during a contest we refuse the “shortcut” and travel the 60 miles and build a TX antenna on the site as well. 
Just today we built a fieldday-style contest station at that site, preparing for the ladies of PI4YLC for their next weekends’ RDXC participation. 

That is a leveled effort solution.
Opposed to an internet shortcut.

THE NOISE CHALLENGED CITY DWELLERS
That is me too. I measure background noise for 4 years now and have seen it rising from minimal 8 to 15dB, depending on the direction. Noise cancellation (NCC-1 available) does help only few dB because of the many noise sources and directions. 
I understand that some have no option here and will build a remote rx site to accommodate their needs. That is ok at your every day’s QSO, DX’ing, working that rare one etc.. Everyone’s own choice. But NOT for a game like competitive contesting. 

Giving in to the new shortcut because...they demand it?
Please re-think about what exactly are the true initial goals for this game you want to change so drastically for some who say they cannot come to play. Put them in a separate category if you really must.

NO TO REMOTE RX  IN CONTESTING
For contesting, using a remote rx is NOT an option. 
It will add many unrealistic advantages, like inband/duplex receiving. Something which is already available but requiring advanced station design and filtering. And then there is many opportunities of possible abuse using remote RX sites during a contest. Such can not be detected

It is OK having built successfully mastered a remote Rx site.
But please, during a contest (only), walk the extra mile and take your butt to the remote location as well.
If you can manage building such a remote station, a TX antenna will be possible too.  

73 Mark, PA5MW

From: John Crovelli 
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 8:03 PM
To: Mark van Wijk, PA5MW ; topband at contesting.com 
Subject: RE: Topband: Use of Remote Receivers During 160 Meter Contests

Mark, 

Unless others speak up, N2NT is inclined to change the rules and allow remote RX systems.

So the time is NOW  to make your thoughts known on the reflector.

73,

John 