[UK-CONTEST] G4TSH AFS CW 2006

[Peter Hobbs]

I have to agree with Chris here.  One of the primary functions of AFS is (or
should be) to bring together the members of the RSGB affiliated clubs, many
of whom view the event as an annual opportunity to say hello.  Rate isn't
really an issue here with few exceeding 70 an hour overall, which leaves
plenty of time for a brief acknowledgement.

However on the subject of gripes, most people now seem to take an age (at
least a second, which is way too long) to respond to calls, presumably
because they're messing with their keyboard and then repeat calls are
necessary (has he or hasn't he?), which are then usually interrupted by a
delayed automatic response.  It's then that full QSK proves it's worth.
It's easy to tell who's still logging manually, because the response is
always instant - computers still have some way to go to catch up with brain!

First time in AFS with my long sloping wire, which did really well (for me)
into GM and northern UK at the beginning (180 in the first 2 hours) and then
petered out, with especially abysmal rates in the 1600 hour, then perked up
in the last 30 minutes with the help of YL/LZ/S5/DL/UA/F etc.  Checked out a
new patent dupe sheet configuration that is very quick to enter and
reference, resulting in only 1 errant call.  Ended up with 240, which was
quite disappointing, but pointed out the need for a second lower antenna for
the latter half.

Congrats especially to the LP and QRP participants - Dave YMC you were an
amazing signal here in Sussex!

Cheers and HNY to all

Peter G3LET

----- Original Message -----
From: "G3SJJ" <g3sjj at btinternet.com>
To: <ALANNOTTAGE at aol.com>
Cc: <uk-contest at contesting.com>; <justin at g4tsh.demon.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] G4TSH AFS CW 2006


> Yes, it's nice and polite. I'm not too keen in the first hour but after
> that it isn't going to slow the rate down much and it's nice just to
> acknowledge either someone you know well or a regular participant. I am
> always aware that the other person might not want his rate slowed by
> unneccessary drivel, eg "73 and good luck in the contest old man" so
> tend to abbreviate like Jus or Der. I am quite happy receive ---- (short
> for Oris!)or even OF!!
>
> What I don't like is something more prevalent to the slower senders,
> which then makes things even slower and can really slow the rate down
> for an S&Per. I've mentioned it before. 73, 73, dit dit, dit dit, long
> pause, CQ several times and at last, a callsign. Phew, hard work!!
>
> Chris G3SJJ
>
>
> ALANNOTTAGE at aol.com wrote:
>
> >In a message dated 08/01/06 23:59:27 GMT Standard Time from uk-contest,
> >justin at g4tsh.demon.co.uk writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>One significant irritation was the quite large number of callers who had
to
> >>say hello and send my name....
> >>...Is it me or does this happen to anyone else?
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Seems a number of people were doing this at the start of the contest.  I
> >heard George, '3NOH S&Ping around and he got GEO most times!  Other
assorted tosh
> >thrown in by some others too.  My theory is that it's the first time in a
> >while that a lot people have hooked up locally (inter G that is) and that
they
> >felt the need for a bit of social interaction.  I guess things will be
back to
> >normal next weekend with plenty of snarly power/bandwidth/testosterone
action
> >hi!!
> >
> >Al G0XBV
> >_______________________________________________
> >UK-Contest mailing list
> >UK-Contest at contesting.com
> >http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
> >
> >
> >
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