Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
I am not picking on any one operator. But guys think about it. If you all start/continue working 0 point NA stations ... do you not think that it encourages these stations to continue this behaviour? It's becoming everybody work everybody all the time. If you are happy working these stations ... that's your personal choice ... fine ... that's not my personal choice. Enough said by me. Doug "Think of all the ways you can hurt yourself laughing." --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
I tried sending in slow cw 'only dx'. It didn't make any difference ... they still kept calling. Early in the contest I did log a few ... but after a while it became irritating. My logging program complains when I enter a 'non contest' qso. So as to not screw things up when I am tired, I began to ignore those callers. It's not VEs calling me, it's USA stations. I hear a week signal ... I think it is dx ... I switch directions only to find out it's a USA station ... frustrating. Maybe next time I will just qsy to a different frequency or go qrt. I no longer have the patience to deal with someone's ignorance of the contest rules. Doug "Think of all the ways you can hurt yourself laughing." -Original Message- I appreciate all the replies and helpful advice. Since there will always be some that won't study the official rules (I promise I will from now on :-), here's what I think is the best solution. When a station calls CQ TEST and he hears another station in his country answering him, simply call CQ TEST DX (or maybe CQ DX TEST). If that doesn't get the point across, then nothing will. Besides, it serves notice to anyone else listening that might be thinking about answering. I heard at least one US station doing that. I only called 3 stations in the 48 states before I caught on. Afterwards, I worked a number of stations in the Caribbean and SA, including some new ones. It was great fun, in spite of band conditions! This could very well turn out to be my favorite contest. Are there any other contests with zero-point scoring rules like this one? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
I was the topband operator at K3LR this weekend (loved every minute) and I echo Andrew's (at W3LPL) comments below - with the directive receive arrays it takes both of us a few seconds to find out which direction to listen to. Many times the signals are QRP USA callers - so a bit of digging is in order to get the callsign correct. There were times this weekend when I felt like Andrew at W3LPL and I were the only ones awake in the USA on 160! You never know what might happen on the topband. We were also trying out a new phased array for 160 at K3LR. The HI-Z 8 circle is now phased with a HI-Z four square - one wavelength spacing broadside. The RDF is 15.1 dB, so it is highly directive and works great to the pointed target area. The arrays are phased together with the DXE NCC-1. We worked 42 USA/VE stations on 160 meters this weekend. I even had two short rag chews with my friend Vern, W9FAM in the wee hours. W0BTU was 599 when he called in - as long as I was pointed at Mike. Yes it was a DX contest, but I love to work guys on the topband - no matter how far away they are. 73, Tim K3LR -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Andrew AC6WI Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 4:05 PM To: topband Subject: Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals Hi all, As the person who did the majority of the running (and I use that word loosely given the conditions) on 160m at W3LPL this weekend, I think some explanation is in order. I did work a number of US stations during the contest, in fact every single one that called me so I didn't ignore them. It's quicker to work them instead of trying to argue about it and hope it doesn't result in a string of other zero pointers calling. Now, in the case of Mike W0BTU, it's very possible it took a few calls for me to figure out which direction I needed to listen. Consider that I was using Franks new 8-circle receive array, which has a much sharper and cleaner pattern than the Beverages we used to use, and that I was most likely listening towards EU at the time. When listening towards EU, callers off the back side of this new array are attenuated a LOT! Combine that with a relatively high QRN level due to the storms running up through the North East, ie the direction I was listening, and the fact I wouldn't be expecting callers off the back side when I'm listening to EU, and it's not really surprising it took a few calls for me to figure out that I needed to listen in the opposite direction. Thanks to everyone who persisted with lots of repeats over the weekend to make some very difficult Q's on 160m. Vy 73, Andrew AC6WI / GI0NWG On 17/02/14 13:46, Jim Bennett wrote: > I'd like to add my .02 to this thread, as an observer. > > There certainly are two sides to the story. The folks running "big gun" stations on top band in the contest are out there trying to garner points to win the contest, or at least their state/power level/section or whatever. So, I can almost understand their reluctance to answer a domestic caller. But on the other hand, maybe they ought to think about WHY that domestic station is calling him/her. Lack of rule knowledge. Perhaps. But maybe, just maybe that person calling has just gotten the station or antenna operational and is trying to see if others are hearing him/her well enough to make a contact. Or maybe the person is struggling to complete an award and needs your state or your county. On 160 meters, that is certainly a possibility. > > Is it going to kill you to answer the other person? Will the world come to an end if you do? Probably not. Are you going to create a huge pileup if you answer a domestic caller? Really.? Sure, there are people operating in the contest who don't know that the contact is worthless -in the contest- but maybe that contact is NOT worthless to him or her. > > Let's have a little compassion and understanding for others in ham radio who are not operating exactly as you'd want them to. > > Jim / W6JHB > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
This doesn't apply to the contest this past weekend, but each year in CQWW I am very grateful to the Zone 2 VE who answers my call even though he will get no points for the contact. 73 Roger VE3ZI _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
Hi all, As the person who did the majority of the running (and I use that word loosely given the conditions) on 160m at W3LPL this weekend, I think some explanation is in order. I did work a number of US stations during the contest, in fact every single one that called me so I didn't ignore them. It's quicker to work them instead of trying to argue about it and hope it doesn't result in a string of other zero pointers calling. Now, in the case of Mike W0BTU, it's very possible it took a few calls for me to figure out which direction I needed to listen. Consider that I was using Franks new 8-circle receive array, which has a much sharper and cleaner pattern than the Beverages we used to use, and that I was most likely listening towards EU at the time. When listening towards EU, callers off the back side of this new array are attenuated a LOT! Combine that with a relatively high QRN level due to the storms running up through the North East, ie the direction I was listening, and the fact I wouldn't be expecting callers off the back side when I'm listening to EU, and it's not really surprising it took a few calls for me to figure out that I needed to listen in the opposite direction. Thanks to everyone who persisted with lots of repeats over the weekend to make some very difficult Q's on 160m. Vy 73, Andrew AC6WI / GI0NWG On 17/02/14 13:46, Jim Bennett wrote: I'd like to add my .02 to this thread, as an observer. There certainly are two sides to the story. The folks running "big gun" stations on top band in the contest are out there trying to garner points to win the contest, or at least their state/power level/section or whatever. So, I can almost understand their reluctance to answer a domestic caller. But on the other hand, maybe they ought to think about WHY that domestic station is calling him/her. Lack of rule knowledge. Perhaps. But maybe, just maybe that person calling has just gotten the station or antenna operational and is trying to see if others are hearing him/her well enough to make a contact. Or maybe the person is struggling to complete an award and needs your state or your county. On 160 meters, that is certainly a possibility. Is it going to kill you to answer the other person? Will the world come to an end if you do? Probably not. Are you going to create a huge pileup if you answer a domestic caller? Really.? Sure, there are people operating in the contest who don't know that the contact is worthless -in the contest- but maybe that contact is NOT worthless to him or her. Let's have a little compassion and understanding for others in ham radio who are not operating exactly as you'd want them to. Jim / W6JHB _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
I appreciate all the replies and helpful advice. Since there will always be some that won't study the official rules (I promise I will from now on :-), here's what I think is the best solution. When a station calls CQ TEST and he hears another station in his country answering him, simply call CQ TEST DX (or maybe CQ DX TEST). If that doesn't get the point across, then nothing will. Besides, it serves notice to anyone else listening that might be thinking about answering. I heard at least one US station doing that. I only called 3 stations in the 48 states before I caught on. Afterwards, I worked a number of stations in the Caribbean and SA, including some new ones. It was great fun, in spite of band conditions! This could very well turn out to be my favorite contest. Are there any other contests with zero-point scoring rules like this one? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
I'd like to add my .02 to this thread, as an observer. There certainly are two sides to the story. The folks running "big gun" stations on top band in the contest are out there trying to garner points to win the contest, or at least their state/power level/section or whatever. So, I can almost understand their reluctance to answer a domestic caller. But on the other hand, maybe they ought to think about WHY that domestic station is calling him/her. Lack of rule knowledge. Perhaps. But maybe, just maybe that person calling has just gotten the station or antenna operational and is trying to see if others are hearing him/her well enough to make a contact. Or maybe the person is struggling to complete an award and needs your state or your county. On 160 meters, that is certainly a possibility. Is it going to kill you to answer the other person? Will the world come to an end if you do? Probably not. Are you going to create a huge pileup if you answer a domestic caller? Really.? Sure, there are people operating in the contest who don't know that the contact is worthless -in the contest- but maybe that contact is NOT worthless to him or her. Let's have a little compassion and understanding for others in ham radio who are not operating exactly as you'd want them to. Jim / W6JHB _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
The last thing I would want is a pile up of USA calling me when I am listening for a weak DX signal. Answering one only encourages others to call. Ignoring them is not being rude or nasty. Doug "Think of all the ways you can hurt yourself laughing." -Original Message- I can't understand ignoring callers in an ARRL DX contest on 160, unless the operator is working a run for DX. Generally stations are sitting there endlessly CQing over and over again with only sporadic contacts. Seems to me it would just be a whole lot better, as long as there aren't DX callers, to just tell the person they don't count. Also, if a person is trying to be helpful, even if they are mistaken and being a pest, I see little reason to be rude or nasty. We can't all be perfect, and most of us make mistakes at one time or another. This is not a busy contest (on 160) to an extent that occasional mistakes by people trying to be helpful becomes an issue with score. 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
If I am operating ARRL DX contest at home I just work the handful of no-mult-no-point domestic guys to get them out of the way. Out of 2000+ QSO's, only two such cases this year, better than some previous years! A multi-multi would worry about setting a bad precedent though. I can't understand ignoring callers in an ARRL DX contest on 160, unless the operator is working a run for DX. Generally stations are sitting there endlessly CQing over and over again with only sporadic contacts. Seems to me it would just be a whole lot better, as long as there aren't DX callers, to just tell the person they don't count. Also, if a person is trying to be helpful, even if they are mistaken and being a pest, I see little reason to be rude or nasty. We can't all be perfect, and most of us make mistakes at one time or another. This is not a busy contest (on 160) to an extent that occasional mistakes by people trying to be helpful becomes an issue with score. 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals
If I am operating ARRL DX contest at home I just work the handful of no-mult-no-point domestic guys to get them out of the way. Out of 2000+ QSO's, only two such cases this year, better than some previous years! A multi-multi would worry about setting a bad precedent though. I know some contest loggers will reject domestic calls in a DX test, but I actually like the way N1MM currently does it - just puts it in the log but knows that it counts for no mult no points. Same as working a dupe, it's faster just to work them and get them out of the way. I think there was one RTTY test last year where the same guy is in my log 5 times same band, he probably was doing the contest using a non-contest logger. Should've snail-mailed him a Op Aid 6 :-) Tim N3QE From: Topband [topband-boun...@contesting.com] on behalf of Bernie McClenny, W3UR [ber...@dailydx.com] Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 5:44 AM To: Mike Waters Cc: topband; MU 4CX250B Subject: Re: Topband: Contest in progress - few signals I suspect there were several other reasons they did not come back to your 1500 watts! I suspect during a "DX" contest like the ARRL DX CW Contest most US or VE stations will not reply to other US or VE station's first several calls and put a "DX" emphasis on the next several CQ tests. Also I suspect the 160 ops at W3LPL were listening toward EU, AF, SA or the Caribbean for QSOs with points. Remember US and VE stations work DX for three points and any other stations from VE or the United States count as ZERO in the contest. On my way back to W3LPL as one of the 10 meter ops. Bernie McClenny, W3UR Editor of The Daily DX, The Weekly DX and How's DX? Two week trial - http://www.dailydx.com/trial.html https://twitter.com/dailydx 410-489-6518 > On Feb 15, 2014, at 8:19 PM, Mike Waters wrote: > > I didn't notice that the K index jumped to 5 until after I posted this. > That doesn't help. > > But the 3 or 4 stations that I hear calling CQ are quite strong (S9+) in SW > Missouri. > > W3LPL is S9+, but he had a lot of trouble hearing my 1500 watts. Odd. > > 73, MIke > www.w0btu.com > > >> On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 7:09 PM, MU 4CX250B <4cx2...@miamioh.edu> wrote: >> >> Band has been poor here in NM. Last night didn't hear Europe at all, >> and only about 10 SA and Carrib. Stations. This morning, opening into >> Asia was marginal, with only a handful of weak JAs. Even Kim HL5IVL, >> who usually blasts through here, was barely out if the noise. >> 73, >> Jim W8ZR >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Feb 15, 2014, at 5:17 PM, Mike Waters wrote: >>> >>> There's a contest in progress --the ARRL Int. DX CW-- but you wouldn't >> know >>> it from listening on 160. Where is everyone? >>> >>> The only two stations on 160 calling CQ TEST are K3LR and W3LPL. >>> >>> 73, Mike >>> www.w0btu.com > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
