[Elecraft] RE: K3 & CQWW

[Kevin]

Most of the top gun contest ops are copying manually and using the 
computer to send, then log the contacts. A contest exchange is more like 
copying code groups rather than clear text. If you have a good idea 
what's coming in the exchange you really only have to copy the call. 
CQWW exchange is much easier to anticipate compared to something like 
Sweeps.

As Julian said they haven't written a piece of software yet that can 
decode morse code as well as the trained human brain. They do work 
pretty well in non-contest situations on properly timed and spaced CW. I 
think they'd be terrible in a QRM filled contest situation.

My one and only gripe about computer generated morse in a contest is the 
guys who're more than likely running SO2R leaving a rig in a CQ loop and 
not paying enough attention to people answering. I know in the CW 
version of Sweep Stakes I  moved on down the band when I came across a 
station in a "CQ Loop" with no possible way to squeeze a reply in 
between CQ's.

They're loss.

To the big guns sending at 40+, there are way more of us than there are 
of you.
Wouldn't it makes sense to slow the CQ and exchange down to a reasonable 
22-27 wpm and work a bunch more people? My 27 wpm Q counts just as much 
as the other guys 40 wpm Q and there's more of me than there are of him. 
I can't count the number of stations running in SS who answered my 27wpm 
call to them with 40+, despite testimony to the contrary on this reflector.


Dave Agsten wrote:
> Speaking of those ultra high speed CW stations, I have to wonder if they are in a radio contest or a computer contest? Isn't the computer doing most of the operating. I don't know, since having the PC run the show, as far as contest exchanges are concerned, is of absolutely no interest to me.  Does the computer copy and select the calling station? ( I have no idea?? ) If it does, then it really is a computer contest and not a ham radio contest.
>
> C'ya in the ARRL 160
>
> 73,
> Dave N8AG