>Here's a stab at a survey:
>
>1) When did you get infected with the contest bug?
>2) What made that occasion stand out?
>3) Who made the difference to you?
I remember quite vividly my 1st contest - field day 1966. I was a mere
12 years old and had a great time. I recall how the 80M op came running
out of the tent screaming that he had just worked a "PA3" in the
Netherlands.
Upon later reflection, it was probably a miscopied WA3 in EPA, but the
thrill
of even the thought of being heard "across the pond" remains a well
cherrished memory. I guess that's when the hook was set - the rest is a
pleasant history of competition intertwined with lasting friendship.
From that very experience came two active contesters, myself and my
boyhood bud, Brooke, N2BA.
I remember how by the end of that weekend, as we waited in the woods of
central New Jersey for my Dad to arrive to pick us (and a generator) up,
hearing CW in my head - without a rig being turned on! "Oh boy, what's
this,"
I said. That pleasantly strange experience haunts me to this day.
After that it was QSO parties and competing against my school buddies that
kept me inspired. I then graduated to CD parties and the ARRL DX contests.
I remember getting a "bug" so that I could work more stations. Then
migrating
to a homebrew, tube-type, ala ARRL Handbook, electronic keyer. Wow, I could
now work even more guys. Rates. In those days 30 or 40 per was great news.
I could go on & on, but let me save bandwidth and say that: The rest is
history - and a pleasant one I may add.
I think it incumbant upon the inspired to infect others with the spirit we
all felt early on in our contest careers. So do your share this year and
inspire a few beginners by participating in the Novice Roundup.
73,
Walt - K2WK
>From Leonard J Popyack, Jr." <popyackl@erplab.erp.rl.af.mil Fri Feb 4
>03:42:14 1994
From: Leonard J Popyack, Jr." <popyackl@erplab.erp.rl.af.mil (Leonard J
Popyack, Jr.)
Subject: CT vs. ???
Message-ID: <985.popyackl@erplab.erp.rl.af.mil_POPMail/PC_3.2.2>
On Mon, 31 Jan 94 11:50:42 EST, Larry Novak wrote:
>
>I hear a lot of discussion about the problems with CT, mostly relating
>to bugs in new versions. I'm wondering why, then, everyone continues
>to use it? I know there must be some people using NA and the new N6TR
>package, but why the overwhelming use of CT? (I don't use any of
>them yet, but plan to start with ARRL DX CW, so I'm interested). If the
>answer is obvious, just let me know. If you send me email instead of
>answering on the reflector, I'll summarize and post the comments.
>
>Thanks,
>Larry
Well Larry, lets see. I paid over $75 for it. I guess I am trying to
get my moneys worth out of it. Just like paying too much for a new car
and driving it until the doors fall off. You would think after 8
major revisions the S/W would be Bug-free? NOT!!!
it is useful for the small number of contests it supports, however.
73 Len
WF2V
>From Dave Hawes <34703@vlf03v31.ueci.com> Tue Feb 1 13:43:37 1994
From: Dave Hawes <34703@vlf03v31.ueci.com> (Dave Hawes)
Subject: CT vs. ???
Message-ID: <13612064D64@vlf03v31.ueci.com>
Michael Owen <MOWE@SLUMUS.bitnet> wrote:
> 1) ALL software has bugs. The more ambitious a package is, the
> more likely it is to have a bug or two. Packages that play it safe
> usually don't have all the bells'n whistles that people want. So,
> the fact that CT has a burp or two is no big surprise. I'll bet that
> the other "big" logging programs have 'em too.
Right on. I *want* the bells and whistles...the more new ones I have to
play with, the happier I am. Using new gizmos, be they hardware
(antennas, DSPs, headsets, radios, etc.) or software, is what keeps
contesting interesting for me. At N3RS we recognize the risk in using the
"latest and greatest" version of CT, which is why we ALWAYS have instantly
available an older, known to be reliable, version to which we can revert
if the need arises. And it has occasionally. I *like* the fact that K1EA
has decided to be progressive with his updates, and accept willingly the
risks involved.
> 2) People remain loyal to the software that they already know how to
> use. The best software pkg. (for you) is the one you're familiar with.
After 5 years of experience with CT, I have finally mastered the
keystrokes. I need neither a keyboard template nor reference to the built
in help screen to operate efficiently, and there surely is benefit in
that. From reading the reflector, I know that N6TR's program has some
nifty bells and whistles missing in CT, and I'd like to play with it some
time to see for myself. However, there would have to be some extremely
useful feature to lure me away from CT, since I am so high on the CT
learning curve.
For what it's worth. Dave - N3RD
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Hawes Internet: 34703@vlf03v31.ueci.com
Raytheon Engineers, Valley Forge, PA Voice: 610-254-5167
Fax: 610-254-5134
----------------------------------------------------------------------
>From Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826 <jayk@hpxxx.fc.hp.com> Tue Feb 1 15:20:17 1994
From: Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826 <jayk@hpxxx.fc.hp.com> (Jay Kesterson K0GU x6826)
Subject: VHF/UHF Gear?? (summary)
Message-ID: <9402011520.AA06688@hpxxx.fc.hp.com>
Thanks to all who replied with info on VHF/UHF contest gear (about a dozen).
On six meters most are using the IC-551 (by far the favorite) or TS-690.
On two meters and above: Most of the ops running around a KW are using
FT-736s or transverters (Down East Microwave and SSB Electronics). Several
ops using various old ICOM single band rigs (note that replacement parts
are impossible to get for some of the older ICOM rigs). Several also use
the FT-726 (modules hard to find).
Thanks for all the info.
73, Jay K0GU jayk@fc.hp.com
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