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Re: [CQ-Contest] The difference between assisted and un-assisted; let's

To: pa5mw@home.nl
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] The difference between assisted and un-assisted; let's make that as simple as it is..
From: <w7dra@juno.com>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 08:27:27 -0700
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
SOSB80 LP RAW

I like it.

mike W7DRA



On Mon, 25 May 2015 13:55:59 +0200 "Mark van Wijk, PA5MW" <pa5mw@home.nl>
writes:
> Contesting is about FUN.
> 
> However, after every major contest the same debates start again.
> Year after year.
> Rules, more rules, interpreting rules, outsmarting the rules, 
> enforcing the 
> rules and then some more rules and redo from start.
> 
> Talking about assisted vs un-assisted can be made very simple if we 
> just 
> rudimentary define its ancient behavior.
> 
> But you need to be willing to see it.
> 
> I would suggest you sit back for moment and decide which entry class 
> 
> provides you the most fun?
> Let the fun-factor decide which suits you the best; unassisted or 
> assisted?
> 
> UN-assisted can and should be made more clear, raw so to speak.
> Maybe we stop at pencil and paper logging, but just there.
> The better we do that the more distance we create between the two 
> entry 
> classes.
> 
> The greater the difference the better people can decide where they 
> find 
> there optimal source of FUN.
> 
> 
> WHAT is truly UN-assisted?
> 
> It is quite simple;
> 
> A boy and his radio,  doing all the things the old-fashioned way; 
> turning 
> the VFO for finding QSO's, notice band-openings etc. Making all 
> QSO's by 
> her/himself and her/him only. And the only 'tool' used are ones own 
> ears.
> Contest logging sw and pc operating is ok. So is the phone CQ parrot 
> and the 
> automatic/programmed keyer.
> In essence it is doing it all by yourself.
> It is not too difficult seeing what is NOK.
> You don't need rules for that. If you really start thinking about 
> the true 
> un-assisted concept it becomes very clear what the differences 
> towards 
> assisted are. It is a matter of pride and self-regulation too.
> 
> Do you recognize the fun in all described below? Than un-assisted is 
> your 
> fun-thing.
> If you disagree on some parts, let's remain good friends but maybe 
> you need 
> to admit to yourself that assisted suits you better.
> tter in terms of providing you more fun.
> There is no judgement on either entry-class, just see which provides 
> you 
> more fun at doing contest-hamradio.
> 
> 
> 
> BEFORE CONTEST (un-assisted)
> 
> You do all the band propagation checkup already days in advance by 
> listening 
> only(your own ears).
> You do not check the internet for anything during the days before 
> the 
> contest. You do not check dx-clusters, RBN, propagation, dx-clusters 
> or 
> whatever.
> You are outside the contest just as un-assisted as during the 
> contest.
> 30min before start you do not fill your bandmaps with found stations 
> from 
> the internet/backyard RBN/Skimmer/whatever automation.
> You only spin that VFO dial and use your own ears. Fill that 
> band-map by 
> listening and entering calls in the bandmap  yourself.
> In fact you are 'disconnected ' from any technology on this.
> It does not need rules; in fact you can very well figure out what is 
> truly 
> un-assisted.
> 
> But only if we make it more black vs white.
> 
> 
> DURING A CONTEST (un-assisted)
> 
> You are 100% disconnected from internet. In fact you should already 
> be for a 
> few days, because your contest preparation is done the old fashioned 
> way. 
> You feel pride in doing it that way.
> During the 48 contest hrs your home is totally disconnected from 
> internet, 
> phone, TV and just ANYTHING which might provide your brain 
> 'information' 
> other than what comes directly from your rig's loudspeaker.
> 
> No Bandscope  (switch it off), no SDR monitoring equipment.
> 
> If you have anything built, extra receivers monitoring the other 
> bands etc.. 
> it does NOT provide you automated information. No remote operated 
> equipment. 
> You will have to go there and use your ears to get the data you 
> want.
> 
> No automation which creates you opportunities to...... you figure 
> that one 
> out, right?
> If you need to get into details on this, you missed my point:
> 
> ****Your EARS are the only TOOL for finding and making  QSO's at any 
> given 
> time.****
> 
> No Super Check Partial (or any such pre-available call-sign 
> database)
> You make notes on paper and/or put found stations in your band-map 
> yourself.
> 
> You don't talk to your wife (other than discuss your drinking&eating 
> 
> support), you don't take any phone calls, you don't check in at any 
> chats, 
> VHF rounds.
> 
> You only spin your VFO dial and solicit for new mults/QSO's using 
> your ears.
> 
> You use your own experience and strategy based on above.
> 
> Your ears and brain are the only tool before-and-in an un-assisted 
> class 
> entry of a contest.
> 
> If you feel like to question or debate the above, maybe you do have 
> a 
> different opinion on what is fun at contesting.
> I can understand that.
> In that case I suggest you enter the assisted class.
> 
> 
> Now for those who start believing I only like un-assisted or 
> anything; not 
> true. In fact I enjoyed for many years operating PI4TUE (now SK) 
> solely 
> assisted, using every season more and more many assisting gadgets 
> and the 
> internet, as rules would allow us.
> Like said on top; contesting is about fun.
> One can enjoy ham-radio fun in both assisted and un-assisted 
> entry-classes 
> just as well.
> 
> Now if we can just separate them more in black vs white
> 
> 73 Mark, PA5MW
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 

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