Topband: RBN and cluster spots

[daraymond at iowatelecom.net]

While I watch RBN I still watch the old fashioned packet cluster that whose 
ship sailed many years ago.  Many worthwhile things appear on the cluster 
that never appear on RBN.   If you really want to know what's going on you 
need to be watching both.     73. . .Dave, FLS

-----Original Message----- 
From: VE6WZ_Steve
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2020 4:15 PM
To: Topband
Subject: Topband: RBN and cluster spots

This winter I've noticed that when CQing on 160m, if I get spotted on the 
“conventional” packet cluster, I seem to get more action.
I’ve always found this surprising because usually with 3 seconds (!!!) my 
call is spotted on the RBN network, so why doesn't everyone already know I’m 
CQing there?

It seems that quite a few ops out there either don’t know about, have 
forgotten about, or somehow “don’t believe” in the RBN network??  As far as 
thinking the RBN network is “un-fair” or not "old school" like finding your 
own DX, well to each his own, but the packet cluster ship sailed many years 
ago!

Perhaps this email is just a reminder to consider either checking the RBN 
network directly in your browser or getting the RBN skimmer spots fed 
directly into your logging program packet window.
I use the VE7CC  “CC cluster” program which will filter the skimmer spots 
anyway I want (eg. no NA spots) and they get streamed together with the 
conventional packet cluster into my logging program, and also directly onto 
the Flex waterfall.  If anyone in EU calls CQ, the spot will show up on the 
waterfall within 2-5 seconds!  I know exactly where the “open” spots are on 
160m before I call CQ.  I see the who’s-who across the band all the time.

I know many reading this already use the RBN regularly, but even in the KST 
chat room I get questions like “where are you CQing”?  Heck, I was spotted 
within seconds of my first CQ on the RBN network !

73, de steve ve6wz

_________________
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector