I think it would be great if the RBN & software people would come up with a
short, fast CW ID that could be activated periodically for SSB stations
when they are running.
On another point, my understanding of the CQWW rules is that single ops
also can spot when they S&P. Certainly if they can post to score sites and
view those sites, which unambigusously is permitted, they should be able to
post spots when in S&P mode without viewing. I believe that a number of
programs, such as N1MM & N1MM+, already provide this capability without the
operator receiving any spots. (I admit that I have no experience spotting.
My station is in a geographically remote area that has had only very poor
and intermittent DSL available, so I cancelled service after a few months
of frustration just trying to use it just for emailing. Last weekend
however my AT&T cell phone was showing pretty good LTE & 4G, so they have
upgraded their wireless and maybe I can spot as a single op or go assisted
some day if willing to pay the usage charges.)
73, Dave K3ZJ
On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 5:49 AM, Ed Sawyer <sawyered@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Peter, I think my wording was confusing. I meant that for those OPERATING
> assisted, as the S & P, the software automatically spots. From what I am
> reading, this is already a feature in popular programs, people just need to
> turn it on. Those that opeperate assisted could clarify.
>
> 73
>
> Ed N1UR
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) [mailto:contesting@w2irt.net]
> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 1:33 AM
> To: sawyered@earthlink.net; cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] When do we spot? Should it be required?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> In reading the many views, I think the easiest solution that doesn't change
> the spirit of contesting is to instill processes of spotting more
> consistently. The encouragement of setting the software to automatically
> spot when logging Qs for those running assisted. That simple thing would
> greatly even the playing field of spotting in SSB contests.
>
> Opinions?
> Ed N1UR
>
> [pjd] While this would be a good positive step, it might not be all that
> simple to automate. At what point is the spot sent? What if the op is CQing
> manually, not pressing F1 or having auto-CQ running? You could say spot
> after x stations logged, but when you're starting a run you might not get x
> callers for a while. Conversely, if you do set up shop and post a
> self-spot,
> what if you lose your run frequency after only 2 or 3 minutes? That spot
> will stay on people's displays for a while causing confusion to guys
> working
> the band and potentially to the actual user nearby.
>
> If there were no prohibitions along this vein, the way I *personally* would
> do it would be to settle in, make sure I had the frequency for a minute or
> two then self-spot ONCE. That would generate interest (hopefully, anyways)
> and the run would start. After 10 or 15 minutes when things start to get
> sparse, I'd just ask a caller or two to please spot me. Lather, rinse
> repeat. That way the spots are known-good, but not so frequent that (a) I'd
> have constant P5-size pileups that kill rate rather than help it or (b)
> make
> me look like a complete jackass on the cluster, self promoting every 2
> minutes.
>
> One final comment, why only for those running assisted? In CW contests,
> even
> if you're running unassisted, the instant you CQ you're spotted by the
> network. You didn't ask to be spotted but spotted you were (and then later,
> again, by your callers). This would be a practical and equalizing practice
> on Phone. I'd go so far as to say posting a self spot or asking for a spot
> should not be barred from a phone contest in unassisted categories since
> it's a reality in CW and RTTY. So long as you yourself are not using the
> network or software to *find* Qs or mults unassisted I'm good with that
> practice.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> GO FRC!
> Peter, W2IRT
>
> www.facebook.com/W2IRT
>
>
>
>
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> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
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>
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