[PaQSO] RTTY/PSK

[Michael Coslo]

On Mar 1, 2006, at 7:03 PM, Stan Reas wrote:

>
>>         The necessary changes will be to add digital fields to the  
>> scoring,
>> and to add their points at the proper point value to the score.
>>
>>         The additions are RTTY and PSK QSO. A person can  
>> potentially make a:
>>
>>         CW
>>         SSB
>>         RTTY
>>         PSK
>>
>>         contact with the same other OP on any given band.
>>
>>         CW is worth 2 points on 160 and 80 meters, and 1.5 points  
>> on the
>> other bands used in the contest.
>>
>>         SSB is worth 1 point on any band.
>>
>>         RTTY and PSK are worth 2 points on any band.
>
> VERY POOR idea to give these "digital" modes 2 points on all bands.

	I have received some other emails such as this, and frankly I am  
surprised at the concern among some amateurs that we are trying to  
punish or discourage CW by adding digital modes.

	Here is what we are trying to do.

	There have been a lot of requests for inclusion of digital modes in  
the party. Due to the surging popularity of PSK mode, it was a  
natural for inclusion. RTTY has also had a rebirth since the advent  
of sound card modes, so the consensus was that we should add that  
too. Truth is, there was a fair amount of thought that all digital  
modes should be counted, but I thought that it might be confusing to  
do that.

	We are trying to encourage Amateurs to get on the air and have a fun  
time in the QSO party. We like to encourage different modes of  
operation. That is one of the reasons why CW contacts are worth more  
than SSB, and it is why we try to encourage 80/160 meter CW contacts  
with 2 points per QSO.

	So let's go over the rationale of the scoring. I'll start with why  
things are the way they are now.

	In QSO parties, as in many other competitive activities, the rules  
are what they are as a result of tinkering over the years. Our rules  
have ended up with some quirks in them, such as the 1.5 points per  
QSO above 80 meters. Even though that is related to the encouragement  
we want to give to CW Operations below 40 meters, it is a nuisance.  
One very common mistake on the summary sheets is improper  
multiplication of that half point.

	But it is how the rules are, and the last thing I am going to do is  
add another 1.5 point QSO. I have considered changing all CW contacts  
to 2 points, but that is a matter for another time.

	In any event, the slower speed of the digital contacts, coupled with  
the encouragement that we wish to give to use of the modes, are the  
major reasons that they garner more points per QSO. So they get 2  
points.

	Another bit of controversy is that both PSK and RTTY are counted as  
separate modes. Some have suggested that they should be lumped  
together as one. But after a lot of consideration, the modes are  
separate enough in character that they are considered separate. I'm  
not sure how other software is, but I have to change programs to  
change modes. That means starting and stopping the programs, because  
they capture the sound card. A lot of QSO's can go by in that amount  
of time.
	

>
> CW is the original digital mode !

	And a fine mode it is.  We like to encourage the use of CW.


>
> Keep it up, you'll run us CW operators off !


	That would be unfortunate, Stan. All of our participants are  
precious to us, from the big guns to the "little guys" who turn in  
logs with 10-20 QSO's in them. The impact of the digital mode  
additions are not likely to be major. My guess is that there will be  
30-40 participants in the digital modes.. That would be less than 5  
percent of the total participants in the party.  Hopefully that is  
not such an unbearable thing. I hope to see your log after the 2006  
party,and work you in it.

	- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -