I haven't read the whole thread, so this may be a redundant suggestion, but why
not create a fully automated class? Let the ugly bags of mostly water struggle
it out, while the superior machines use them to pick up some multipliers. That
way everybody's happy.
A comment on Tree's sentiment below - I sometimes wonder what it would be like
to go total retro and operate ARRL DX CW like my grampa did; a straight key ,
pencil and paper. Now that's real skill.
Matt
WD5ACR
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Richard L. King" <k5na@ecpi.com>
> What Tree says pretty well sums up my own feelings about the skimmer.
>
> I don't think it is much different, technologically, as the
> advancement contesters made to two radio contesting. It is still,
> basically, one operator with software and hardware to magnify what he
> is capable of doing while operating. So an argument can be made that
> the skimmer isn't truly "assisted".
>
> But I agree that using the skimmer is a little much for a single-op
> entry. I think this is where we should draw the line and I encourage
> the contest sponsors to put the use of a skimmer in the assisted
> class. Let us contesters continue to do our own call copying in the
> single-op (not assisted) category.
>
> 73, Richard - K5NA
>
>
>
> At 15:48 3/22/2008, Tree wrote:
>
> >Hi all-
> >
> >Just got back from a two week vacation, so am late to the skimmer
> >party. Lots of interesting comments - good to see the discussion.
> >
> >Just think back about 20 years ago where the internet didn't really
> >exist yet... this discussion would take a lot longer to work out.
> >
> >I think the crux of this issue has a lot to do with how we all "feel"
> >about it. Obviously, for some, this "feels" like assistance - much
> >like packet - and for others, it is just an extension of the constant
> >march of technology.
> >
> >I guess one of the basic questions is "When is it too much technology?"
> >By that - I mean - when is radio turned into something that is about
> >as much "fun" as picking up your phone to talk to someone?
> >
> >That is a question we are all going to have slightly different answers
> >to. Some of us will want to protect the way we "think" about operating
> >contests - and others will see this as an advancement in the state of
> >the art.
> >
> >It is going to be an emotional debate - and as in the case of packet
> >assistance - there will not be one answer that solves all of the issues.
> >
> >So - for this contester - I do "feel" that skimmers "go too far" for the
> >"traditional" single-op. I believe this technology has the potential to
> >dramatically change how contests are won - and I do not see adding it to
> >the equation is how I want to win contests.
> >
> >The main contest I think about when I say that is the SS CW contest.
> >There are a lot of operators who have learned how to tune a second
> >radio on their own to find new QSOs during the second half of the
> >contest. I believe this "human" effort is a great aspect to the
> >contest - where hours of tedious "work" are rewarded by putting another
> >10 or 20 QSOs in the log. This "effort" is what helps determine who
> >will make the top ten - or not.
> >
> >I have finished 11th in the past two SS CW contests. I am still driven
> >to try and get back into the top ten box from home - not an easy thing
> >to always do. I do feel that if I had put in more hard work, I might
> >have found that VO1 that has eluded me both times - and made it into
> >the box. This motivates me to get on next time and see if I have better
> >luck - and to improve my second radio skills and effort.
> >
> >I have very little doubt that the skimmer technology probably would have
> >made the difference in both of these cases. However, "for me" - that
> >would end up feeling just like I used packet and it wasn't my set of
> >ears that found the station through my own efforts.
> >
> >I believe that contesting is interesting because of the human element we
> >bring into it. Things like computer logging and sending CW to diminsh
> >this some - but for many of us - that means we are now free to spend
> >more of out time using our ears. The skimmer goes to far - as it enables
> >us to start winning contests by doing something that significantly reduces
> >the effort our ears put into it.
> >
> >"For me" - the magic of radio happens between the headphones. This is
> >too much like using a digital mode for EME. It removes the human too
> >far from the magic and is therefore not as much fun... for me.
> >
> >If using the skimmer becomes a "requirement" for me to make the top ten
> >box in the SS CW contest - I will have a choice to make. I hope that I
> >won't have to.
> >
> >73 Tree N6TR/7
> >tree@kkn.net
> >_______________________________________________
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>
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