Scott,
I DID understand your post - quite well in fact as well several =
responses. Let's address cost... what is the cost of a 5 position coax =
switch? About $50. EVERY contest station I have seen in the US or =
abroad has had at least a two or three position switch. This is not a =
hardship or else they would not be at the station. On the other hand we =
are allowed to bring our radio and accessories to Slovenia. Let's =
compare cost again - Icom 781 $4,000? Ft1000MP $2,300, TS830 $700 =
(including VFO).
Here economics IS a factor as well as performance. Not everyone can =
afford a '781 nor would choose to buy one. So in the interests of =
"fairness" and testing operator performance it would seem to be FAR MORE =
equitable to disallow "high-tech" radio in favor of TS830's. Wouldn't =
that be a BETTER test of skill? Certainly one six-position antenna =
switch has FAR LESS impact on score than a better quality radio, costs a =
LOT less and is readily available. I am NOT suggesting that we =
disallow radio disparities, I AM suggesting the use of an simple antenna =
switch for ALL. I don' t understand either why this should be such a =
big deal. How is using a simple antenna switch taking away from "the =
operator" when using a complicated high-tech radio is not?
Perhaps you and 'OJ thought I was talking about complicated electornic =
multi-radio band switching that is prevalent at so many "top-ten" =
stations? I was NOT. I personally switch ALL my antennas, radios, =
amps, etc. MANUALLY with 2 and 6-position swtiches. It adds a LOT of =
fatigue and operator error, especially when I am tired, but still serves =
me well. I did NOT and do not advocate this type of antenna switching =
for WRTC as it would not be possible to duplicate and clearly =
duplication of operating conditions is very important as the WRTC =
committee recognizes.
I disagree though with some people's thinking on gadgetry. The more =
"gadgets" you have, then the more "aids" that you have, HOWEVER, the =
more potential for operator error, equipment malfunctions and the like, =
as well as the increased cost. =20
My point was that if using an antenna switch is such a big deal and is =
seen as taking away from the "operator" function, then we ought to be =
consistent and use a "basic" radio without filters to further test the =
"operator" function. =20
Do I advocate this extreme? NO! I want to use whatever we are allowed =
to use. I just like "consistency" and convenience, and there is NOTHING =
wrong with that.
73
Bob KQ2M
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