[UK-CONTEST] Data modes

[Ian White GM3SEK]

Keith Pocock wrote:
>Hi All, I have read many of the interesting submissions in this stream 
>but have not noticed emphasis on the fact that the data modes enable 
>many amateurs who have developed hearing difficulties to continue in 
>their enjoyment of the hobby and to paricipate in contests.

What Keith says is true, of course, for those who have such problems; 
but this whole discussion seems to contain some weird assumptions about 
listening to RTTY.

It's understandable how frustrating RTTY must sound to a high-speed CW 
operator - your every instinct is to try to decode it, but it's like the 
proverbial monkey with a dot paddle!

On the other hand, having the sound turned completely off is NOT the way 
to succeed at RTTY contesting either. There's useful information to be 
heard - especially when you're running or  breaking a pileup - that you 
can never see on the screen. It doesn't need to be loud or tiring; but 
it does need to be there, in the background.


As for the rest of the argument: my respect goes to every entrant in the 
80m CC who saw the rules as a challenge to raise their game across all 
three modes, then got their heads down and did whatever was needed.


-- 
73 from Ian GM3SEK