[UK-CONTEST] Reasons to favour CW Skimmer

[Paul O'Kane]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <g3ory at lineone.net>

> Ask yourself where CW contesting will be after 30 years
> of no-code licences.

CW is worth preserving for its own sake.  What is certain
is that if we, as radio amateurs, don't make the effort,
no one else will.

Like any language or skill, the way to preserve CW is to
learn it and use it.  Should we treat CW as just another
data mode, that's what it will become.

> Second reason. SO2R is a technique restricted to the
> elite few ... 

Not so - it is a skill that can be acquired by anyone who
really wants to do it.  As with CW, some work and practice
is needed.  CW and/or SO2R operators are not an elite.
They are the people who put in the effort to get what
they wanted.  (I do not operate SO2R - because I haven't
put in the effort).

> ..  The skimmer levels the playing field a bit.  

It does nothing of the sort - it's a technology-based
substitute for an acquired skill.  Of course, it goes
a bit further - it decodes multiple signals
simultaneously, which no SO2R operator could ever
hope to do.

> ... Who wants to be discouraging the next generation 
> of CW contesters?

Yes, encourage them to learn CW.  They will appreciate
it for as long as they use it.

There's a petition going round seeking to get Skimmer
banned.  I will not sign it, if only because its use
may not always be inappropriate.

I leave it to contest organisers to decide the issue.
However, I believe Skimmer is inappropriate for
"unassisted" CW contest entries - as are CW decoders,
audio recorders, spotting networks, remotely-
controlled stations, and possibly SCP.

73,
Paul EI5DI