[UK-CONTEST] Death to the cluster!

[Steve Wilson, G3VMW]

In message <mailman.14070.1260490299.3373.uk-contest at contesting.com>, 
"Paul O'Kane" <pokane at ei5di.com> writes

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Wilson, G3VMW" <steve at g3vmw.demon.co.uk>

>> PacketCluster, Skimmer, SO2R, even the use of SCP or logging
>> innovations like ESM are all fairly recent contesting innovations
>> and we simply must adapt.
>
>This is not just comparing apples and oranges, it's comparing
>apples and burgers!

Paul,

All the innovations mentioned above are used to increase or improve 
overall contest scores. That is the common thread here. Whether you or I 
personally like them isn't really important. The fact is that they have 
all been introduced to our contesting hobby and, to compete at the 
highest level, they are there as options to be used as personal 
circumstances dictate.

That was my point in listing them, therefore I think you've missed the 
point. Nobody is forcing you or anyone else to use any of them, just the 
same as you can use a straight key or no PacketCluster for contesting 
work if you so wish.

>
>PacketCluster is a separate wired professional world-wide
>communications system.  It's folly to use it to increase
>contest scores because it undermines the rationale for
>amateur radio.

Your opinion, and others disagree with you.

Judging by the number of people using PacketCluster in contests, I'd say
it wasn't folly but was now a given. It is another tool to help us 
improve our scores and the unassisted category is there for those who 
prefer the more traditional route.

Don't blame the tool if some of the users can't use it properly.

>
>Skimmer, like any CW decoder, is a technology that reduces
>CW to the status of just another data mode.
>

There is a category in CQWW, which I'm sure you are aware of called 
Xtreme:

http://www.cqww.com/CQ_WW_Xtreme_Rules.pdf

A great idea in my view to allow contest technology to advance and a 
perfect category for Skimmer, but again only for those who want to use 
it.

Whether people use decoders for CW or otherwise isn't an issue that 
worries me greatly as far as contesting is concerned and if Skimmer 
reduces CW to "just another data mode", we have to live with it.

However, let's not decry advances in technology, simply because there's 
room in contesting for all flavours and persuasions.

>SO2R is an acquired personal skill, and it takes years of
>practice to acquire the skill - I don't have it.
>

Quite so, but it is another means of improving contest scores, which was 
my reason for including it in my list. SO2R is a modern development and 
has enabled some outstanding individual contest scores. FWIW, I think 
skill is only part of it; as is the ability to be able split brain 
functions to do two things at once.

>SCP and ESM are contesting accessories - to be allowed or
>disallowed as contest organisers choose.  SCP is banned
>for competitors in the 2010 WRTC in Russia.
>

SCP is an accessory and ESM is a time saving method in my view, but both 
give the user the ability to enhance his/her contest score. Personally, 
I always use both SCP and ESM, but I fully respect the ban of SCP in the 
2010 WRTC.

>> Despite our reservations, none of these things will be
>> going away any time soon.
>
>Engines are not going away any time soon, but people still
>go racing in sailing boats, for the simple reason that it
>would be inappropriate to use a separate mechanical propulsion
>system in a sailing contest.
>

But we are not in sail boat contest Paul! I really don't see the point 
you are making here.

We enter radio contests with an expectation of winning or at least 
competing against our peers, or whatever else drives you. Radio 
contesters use whatever options are legal and allowable in the rules to 
enhance their scores and I refer you back to my original list. We cannot 
and should not go back in time because some people are not keen on the 
way contesting is evolving with PacketCluster, Skimmer et al.

All the things I've listed are allowed in the biggest and best radio 
contest, i.e. the CQWW, albeit in different entry categories. Some folk 
enjoy the challenge of QRP contesting, others prefer QRO, with cluster, 
SO2R and everything else that's allowed.

There is still a fair bit of choice for those who prefer to stay with 
what they are comfortable with. However, you will never halt progress, 
whichever form it takes.

Things evolve, we have to do likewise. The alternative is to spend our 
last days as grumpy old men.


-- 
Steve Wilson, G3VMW
Bramham, Wetherby, West Yorkshire