Tom, I think maybe you misunderstood where I'm coming from. Unlike Joe,
W4TV, I believe that using Skimmer is just like using a cluster, only
more powerful. I have never argued for Skimmer use *not* putting
someone in the assisted category. I was simply trying to refute
Charly's argument that it takes all the skill out of operating.
One of the interesting things about CW Skimmer is that it is cumulative.
For a single op, that means that you can mute the Skimmer SDR while
you're transmitting, and it will pick up with spotting as soon as you
stop. I see this happen all the time here - Skimmer will spot a station
or two as soon as I am not transmitting any longer.
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
On 12/2/2012 10:29 AM, Tom W8JI wrote:
Charly, the only thing that Skimmer replaces is the physical act of
tuning the radio.
For me, the objectionable part of skimmer is the removal or lessening
of operator skill. I equate it to using a code reader. Local skimmer,
used in single op, replaces the three acts of tuning the radio,
copying the call, and entering the call in a data base. It gives the
local station a form of automatic spotting system.
The local technical requirements of isolating the receiver from the
transmitter are significant on lower bands with high power, but it is
possible to do. A conventional SDR here overloaded badly from the
transmitter on 160 meters, but I'm sure that could have been cured. On
80 meters and up a local SDR here can get into noise floor without
local transmitter problems. The result would be a window filled with
locally generated "spots" that require no operator assistance.
I'm not saying this is good or bad, but it sure seems to be contrary
to real single-op unassisted. With a low noise floor, a bandmap could
fill with hundreds of useful locally generated spots. There isn't much
difference between that and using a cluster.
73 Tom
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