Topband: ARRL 160

[Ron Spencer]

Re Packet and the contest      


May not be of interest to everyone. 



Sat evening around 0010 or so, had been running with a nice rate. Then a dupe. And another. And yet another. This continued for around 15 minutes until I finally QSY'd to escape. 



My guess of what happened: someone spotted me but with an incorrect call. On all those using packet, a new call popped up. They clicked on it, dumped in their call. Typically I work all dupes and,  for the first few did but, as the volume grew, I replied with their call, mine and "B4". Most went away but a few insisted on a Q. 



In addition to showing how far our hobby has sunk, isn't it the responsibility of the calling station to actually copy the call sign? Many of the stations that duped me were very recognizable stations. Again, guessing, they were running SO2R, clicked on the spot, called and expected a quick Q. NEVER bothering to check accuracy of packet spot. Is it a valid contact if you don't copy the actual call sign? Even if the call was correct on packet. Or are we moving towards letting the computer do most of the work? 



Sure would be interesting if more contests were like the Stew Perry where no spotting assistance is allowed. You have to actually copy the information...... Yes, I know. A radical idea.



Ron

N4XD
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