[UK-CONTEST] An ideal opportunity to drop PSK ... for good!

[Simon Wilson]

As adjudicator of the data series, this discussion is interesting to follow.
Notwithstanding that statement, what follows is my personal views and in no
way represents the thoughts or views of the RSGBCC upon which I serve.

Firstly let me say I like the mix of data modes in the same contest. Having
operated in previous years prior to taking on the role of adjudication I do
understand and tend to agree that 31.5 baud is somewhat pedestrian even more
so in the limited time this test runs, however it adds spice just as the
sprints that are to come.

A test is a challenge to the operator and dual modes adds to that challenge.
Having carefully examined the rules I find no mention of what baud rate you
may use, so why do you stick to 31.5 and not shift to 63? The same is true
for RTTY 75 over 45.45. It is you the entrants who may use whatever speed
you wish as it is not restricted by the rules. Modern software and waterfall
displays make it easy to switch mode and speed.

With a few days left before the deadline for submission closes for this
final test of the series, may I beseech you to check your logs carefully.
Adjudication of this series is made harder (not  moaning as I love the
challenge) because of the dual mode, and it pains me to see the same
mistakes being made over and over again. This whole series relies upon rapid
adjudication and so requires the entrant to be responsible to check their
logs carefully for mistakes such as mode mis-logging, capital O for the
number 0(zero), qsos after time. One of the biggest aids I use in
adjudication is the frequency of tx. I know it is not a requirement to log
the frequency, just the band BUT and it is a big BUT, in a dual mode test
where a contact is busted for both due to a PS vs RY conflict and there is
no other obvious clue as to who was right and wrong then the logged
frequency is a great help to me. Up to 3585 and the PS wins, above 3583 and
RY wins. Now it too would help you to spot similar errors in your log prior
to submission. The logged frequency really helps me find the qso in my
recording to sort the conflict out. If your interested I use the WinRadio
Excalibur for the task.

In case you wonder what software I used for this test last year, it was N1MM
and the MMVARI component. This automatically logs the frequency when CAT is
connected, and correctly logs mode too, so only left me the task of looking
for silly typing errors as I mentioned earlier.

73's

Simon Wilson M0BOX