Hi Rud, Operating skill may not be the prime consideration. Contesters also strive for the most effective stations in order to try and win. For DX contests, this truly may mean low angles of radiation, but for SS contests, the avid contester may utilize several antennas with different angles or radiation, such as both dipoles and verticals, and use both in a contest. In fact, a group from here just make a Dxpedition to the Bahamas and brought back pictures of both horizontal and vertical antennas. I myself have both verticals and dipoles (no HF beams) at my own QTH, depending on where I want to operate.
In any case, as you know, emergency communications utilizes people at fixed locations as well as those in an emergency center or disaster site. In general, the ARRL Field Day is considered useful for setting up equipment in temporary locations and proving out the equipment as it might be used in an emergency. Although not described as a contest, it is widely considered to be one, and points and multipliers are earned for each successful QSO, just as in contests. I think any activity that prepares an operator or station to assist in emergency communications is worthwhile and includes preparation for contests as well as proving out equipment setups during contests. Operating skills for contests are definitely different from those need for emergency communications, though. 73, Skip KH6TY ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rud Merriam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <digitalradio@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 2:19 PM Subject: RE: [digitalradio] Re: PSK63 activity! How much skill is needed to recognize the few symbols transferred during a contest exchange? Does that translate to general transfer of information? Contesters specialize and tune their equipment. Does that translate into the ability to quickly rig a dipole at an emergency center? The former EC for my county is a contester. He recognizes the difference in skills. I tried to communicate on HF with him a few weeks ago. I had just got my fence dipole antenna installed. He and I could not communicate. I was able to communicate with others in the county. His contesting setup just went right over my head since it was focused for DX. He probably would have done better with his backup antenna stapled to the rafters in his attic. Rud Merriam K5RUD ARES AEC Montgomery County, TX http://TheHamNetwork.net -----Original Message----- From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rick Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 1:07 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Re: PSK63 activity! Rud, I am surprised you would make such a statement since the skills of being able to hear properly and transfer that skill to correctly copy and record the messages is exactly the same skill needed as a contester. You must have a high level of accuracy in each activity to do well. Most contesters also tend to also be fairly conversant with the technical side of amateur radio, typically well above the average ham participating in emergency communications. They are much more knowledgeable about antennas, rigs, interconnections, efficiency, etc. Many (most?) of the operators involved in emergency communications tend to be newer Technician class licensees with very limited experience. In fact, this is so pronounced that leadership here in our Section tends to focus on technologies that dovetail with those kinds of limitations. 73, Rick, KV9U Rud Merriam wrote: > This is also rationalization. The ability to provide disaster > communications entails many skills. Good contesting is virtually > meaningless to that skill set. > > > Rud Merriam K5RUD > ARES AEC Montgomery County, TX > http://TheHamNetwork.net > Announce your digital presence via our Interactive Sked Page at http://www.obriensweb.com/drsked/drsked.php Yahoo! Groups Links -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.0/1139 - Release Date: 11/19/2007 12:35 PM
