[PVRCNC] Packet and SS, some stats. Read #s and weep.

[Guy Olinger, K2AV]

I hate to disagree with all the stuff about running "U" to run up our
SS scores. The numbers tell a different and completely obvious (IMHO)
story.

Following gleaned from Dink's latest offering of 3830 listserve SS
claimed scores.

An infrequently used term: Median, point where as many scores are
above as below, Gives a more meaningful concept of center when there
are very large or very small scores that can skew an average
(arithmetic mean).

Examining the characteristics of the "top half" of scores may expose
trends among the most serious and/or proficient operators

Median score
  SOHP 168.3k
  "U"  141.0k

Average number of sections for stations above median score for class:
  SOHP 79.68
  "U"  80.00

Average number of hours operation for stations above median score for
class:
  SOHP 23.90
  "U"  22.60


Conclusions:

Top Half scores are almost entirely full time efforts, with non-packet
stations almost a perfect 24 hours.

As could be expected, top half packet scores are all clean sweeps, but
that is a microscopic advantage over an average of 79.68 among the
SOHP. No top half SOHP missed more than one section, and MOST were
clean sweeps.

The variation in median score between the groups is fairly constant
over the ENTIRE RANGE of scores. This indicates that on whole, even
accounting for the difference in operating time, operating "U" is a
DISADVANTAGE.

There are a scattering of stations in "U" that bucked that trend. They
are, to the man, all operators that have WON contests, divisions,
zones, etc, before.

This leads me to suspect that operating "U" has some difficult aspects
that take top rank skills to subdue. One obvious disadvantage of
packet sniping is that following spots there is always a pileup when
you get there.

The maxim still holds: Run an amp, call CQ, don't worry about
sections, and put in the hours.

This year I tuned up on a clear spot on 10 above the crowd, and when I
lifted the key I was called by the only station I worked in VI. He was
40 over S9, by far the loudest signal I heard the entire contest. SS
has a lot of serendipity to it.

An hour later I heard him again and he was only S5, and subject of a
pileup. Probably couldn't have worked him. If I follow a packet spot
and find him at the S5 level, I have to have the sense to keep on
going and keep up my rate.

73, Guy.