Bravo Jim - I doubt that anything can be added to that.
Problem is that the technology ops just can't see it as a different world.
Shame tho' to see the loss of interest from lot's of the top guys, many
unspoken I'm sure.
How nice it would be if we could get our old pond back.
73, Brian 5B4AIZ. (C4Z).
--- On Mon, 19/4/10, Jim Neiger <n6tj@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
From: Jim Neiger <n6tj@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] A new "DX cluster" experience for contesters
To: "K1TTT" <K1TTT@ARRL.NET>, CQ-Contest@contesting.com
Date: Monday, 19 April, 2010, 2:50
I was seriously contemplating not dipping my paddle into this pond of abject
silliness, but these words from K1TTT: "knowing when and how to use current
technology always makes you a BETTER operator............." finally shoved
me out of the boat.
Self-serving statements like the above abound. That's the great thing about
being a democracy and freedom of speech. Some possess unlimited ability to
trivialize amateur radio operator skills in general, and contesting,
specifically. Because you can hook up a computer, does that somehow
demonstrate some skill in communicating? or ability to copy CW? or a learned
understanding of propagation? or which mult you can move where/when? For
me, no. For K1TTT and his Skilled Technology Operators, undoubtedly, yes.
After several hundred thousands of QSO's as ZD8Z since 1968, during my two
most recent trips to Ascension in December and in March, I didn't even
bother to get on the air. Like G3SXW opined, for me now to get on and soon
be spotted by the legion of packeteers, all calling on the same frequency,
many having no clue as to my callsign, IS NOT FUN. I sincerely hope that
none of K1TTT's Skilled Technology Operators needed Ascension for a new
country. I left Ascension the Friday of the CQ WPX SSB, whereas in the
past, I would've enthusiastically stayed on the island to participate. Same
thing for the upcoming WPX CW. I will be on Ascension about then, but no
desire to even hook up the station. After decades of CQ WW SSB from DX
somewhere, I haven't been out the past two Octobers. I have no plans or
interests to go anywhere this October, either. Only 50/50 I'll do CQ WW CW
this November.
Unfortunately, K1TTT's school of Skilled Technology Operators has also
brought-out the bottom feeders, some of whom have mastered the skill of
using these technologies to cheat. Many don't believe this happens. Most
couldn't care less.
I know, and I care, and it ain't FUN.
At the end of the day, everyone has the right to decide what works for them,
or not. My friend 4L5A/D4B decided five years ago it was no longer fun for
him. I'm finally understanding why Alik quit. I think I'm there.
As far as I'm concerned, you all can debate RBN, robots, remote, skimmers,
packet, super- technology, until the cow's come home............. to
justify the whatever works for you. Absolutely your prerogative.
But, if it doesn't look like a duck, quack like a duck, or walk like a duck,
it probably ain't a duck. And the above ain't radio contesting.
Jim Neiger N6TJ
--------------------------------------------------
From: "K1TTT" <K1TTT@ARRL.NET>
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 9:17 AM
To: <CQ-Contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] A new "DX cluster" experience for contesters
>> >It's the advancement of technology. Use it or
>> >don't -- but don't say I'm any less of an operator because I do.
>> >
>> >--
>> >Mike DeChristopher, N0HI
>>
>>
>> Well... roaming the bands "manually" to look for stations/multipliers
>> sure
>> makes you a better operator than when you just click the mouse on spots
>> that computers have found and presented to you..
>>
>> In my eyes, yes you are less of an operator when using the RBN/cluster
>> technology.
>>
>
> knowing when and how to use current technology always makes you a BETTER
> operator in my eyes!
>
> Believe me, properly using dx spots from any source in a contest is a lot
> harder than clicking away with the mouse! Otherwise every assisted op
> would
> easily beat all the unassisted ones, and we know that doesn't happen.
>
> David Robbins K1TTT
> e-mail: mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net
> web: http://www.k1ttt.net
> AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
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