[PaQSO] Digital Modes

[mkempisty at comcast.net]

I too belong to FRC and code readers are used by members both highly proficient in CW and those - like me - who aren't.  For the highly proficient ones its the "WHAT was that!" factor or when their attention has to be diverted somewhere else for a momment.  The output can fill in the gap and save an AGN?

For those like me its the only way we can contribute in CW contests.  

Its highly unlike that I'm going to search & pounce my way at over a million points but I've been told its been done.  This past CQWW CW I had close to 200K.  

Running stations is hard since my PK-232 needs to be dialed in right to decode.  If the station is using a computer to send, the 232 decodes perfectly otherwise I need to decipher what it prints out along with my ears.  Decoding a bug is usually quite entertaining.

Doug Priest W3CF(?) started a recent discussion about decoders on the FRC reflector and there weren't any negative comments.

--
Take care, 
Mark N3GNW

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Bob Schreibmaier <k3ph at ptd.net> 

> Hey Gang, 
> 
> Jim wrote: 
> > I have a few comments and concerns about the digital 
> > issue. 
> 
> > I agree with N3RN, that if all digital is going to be 
> > two points, then all CW should be three points. Many 
> > CW people do not copy with computers(or send with 
> > them), so CW is definitely harder. There are also a 
> > lot less people there than on phone. 
> > 
> > I have the concern that we may be headed towards an 
> > email/computer contest. We already have people 
> > sending and copying CW with computers... 
> 
> As long as we are changing the rules, I think it's time 
> to get rid of the awful 1.5 points per QSO stuff. Not 
> sure if I think CW should be more points than digital 
> or not. I've done RTTY contests and CW contests. RTTY 
> was tougher, in my experience. Never done a PSK31 
> contest, but I've operated that on a routine basis. 
> I found CW easier. 
> 
> BTW, somebody on the QRP-F complained about the people 
> using code readers in contests. I belong to a contest 
> club (FRC) and I don't know of anyone who would even 
> consider using a code reader in a contest. But, I 
> would like to hear about it from anyone who does. It 
> would seem to me that those things probably wouldn't 
> decode very well in the midst of all the QRM, plus 
> the fact that a lot of code, even sent by a computer, 
> is choppy. 
> 
> So, if you really do use a code reader in a contest, 
> I would like to hear about your experiences. How 
> well did it copy and how did you know? :-) 
> 
> 72/73, 
> Bob 
> K3PH 
> 
> -- 
> +----------------------------------------------+ 
> | Bob Schreibmaier K3PH | E-mail: k3ph at ptd.net | 
> | Kresgeville, PA 18333 | http://www.dxis.org | 
> +----------------------------------------------+ 
> 
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