[Elecraft] OT: THIS is the big deal about CW Skimmer

[WA6OCP]

In a word, YUCK!

Neal WA6OCP
K3/10/305


DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:
> 
> OK...here it is in a nutshell.
> 
> 1.  CW Skimmer will profoundly change serious-level contesting forever
> 
> 2.  Serious contesters use two radios at once (called SO2R or single
> op, 2 radios).  While they CQ on one band (using a memory
> keyer...voice or cw), they TUNE a 2nd band, looking for additional
> contacts, using their 2nd radio.  This is very intense contesting and
> require super-human concentration and skill to be really successful.
> It means that you are constantly switching focus from the Radio A to
> Radio B (the switching is automatic, controlled by the contest
> software).
> 
> 3.  Currently, tuning the 2nd band is a manual process, requiring one
> to (a) find stations between CQs on the other band, and (b) copy who
> it is and (c) then decide if you need it or not and if you do, (d)
> work it while not "losing" your "RUN" frequency (the first radio
> frequency where you are CQing and working guys who answer your CQs).
> 
> 4.  With CW Skimmer, one no longer has to use their skill to (a) tune
> the 2nd band and (b) figure out who it is.  The computer does this for
> you....and all at once for the whole band.
> 
> 5.  The entire basis for CONTESTING is competition...a competition of
> who has the best set of HUMAN skills...skills at using their
> equipment, but mostly skills at copying callsigns and working guys and
> tuning a second radio and doing the same.  With CW Skimmer, the
> "second radio" skill is effectively eliminated. The computer does it
> for you.  This is VERY FAR from DSP, or a yagi, or an amp, or an
> electronic keyer because.  Those things made CHORES easier.  This
> thing makes the only human element left (tuning the band and finding
> callsign) meaningless.  It eliminates the HUMAN element.  All you need
> now is a clerk to "point and shoot" or "point and click" whatever you
> want to call it.
> 
> 6.  With this "tool," a single op can now be SO6R and have a CW
> SKimmer on every band.  Someone will write a script so that
> multipliers bubble up as found...and even non-mults, but new Q's, will
> be easily flagged (and worked).  YOu wont have to "waste" time tuning
> and copying the callsign of stuff that you already worked.
> 
> 7.  CW decoders (such as included on Elecraft K3) only copy one
> signal, which YOU tuned to.  This thing does the whole band at once.
> 
> 8.  Yes, it is like an "automatic" packet/internet band-mapping tool,
> except that use of those places one in the "Assisted" or "unlimited"
> category, separate and apart from "single op all band."  Under the
> current rules for all contest, the addition of CW Skimmer will NOT
> cause a change in category away from Single Op All Band to the
> Assisted or Unlimited category.  How could it?  Nobody else is helping
> you get the callsigns.
> 
> 9.  For many, especially those who feel that "packet ruined
> contesting" or that "packet ruined DXing," this may turn out to be the
> "packet ruined contesting" of the 21st century.  As many have pointed
> out (if you want to read A LOT on this, go to the CQ-Contest
> Reflector:  www.contesting.com  ), with this "tool," there is
> currently no way to tell if the guy has a 2nd op in the shack, is
> using packet, or is using CW SKimmer.  It makes adjudication a
> nightmare (probably, impossible).
> 
> 10.  Serious SOAB contesters have long done everything possible to
> keep their category separate and apart from packet/internet users.
> They want to keep the category "pure."  This will make that job very,
> very difficult.
> 
> Why keep it "out?"  The same reason sailboat races do not allow
> engines/motors.  The same reason why the Daytona 500 does not allow
> jet engines to be used.  The same reason why people climb mountains
> instead of taking a helicopter.   The same reason why some folks only
> Bow-Hunt.
> 
> Sorry for the bandwidth, but there seems to be a fair about of
> interest in this topic.
> 
> Hope this helps paint a clearer picture.
> 
> de Doug KR2Q
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