Topband: Stew Perry coming in 11 days

[Tree]

Due to the timing of New Year's Eve, the Stew Perry will move up to the
weekend before the holidays this year.  That would be on December 17/18th.

We understand that this is a bad time for some people - and perhaps a
better time for some others.  Most of the time, the contest ends up being
on the weekend between XMAS and New Year's, but this is the one exception.

As you all know, this contest features a robust menu of plaques.  Without
much prodding at all, we already have nearly a full set of plaques
sponsored.  You can find the list here:

Stew Perry TBDC Plaques (kkn.net)


If you were waiting for an announcement before sponsoring your plaque of
choice - consider this that announcement.  Please send me an email with the
info on the plaque you want to sponsor.  Payment is best via PayPal to this
email address (t...@kkn.net).  The current price is $65.

The Boring Amateur Radio Club would like to thank Patrick, W7TMT, who is
helping with shipping last year's plaques.  These should be arriving in the
next couple of weeks.

73 Tree N6TR / K7RAT
t...@kkn.net
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Re: Topband: ARRL 160

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I had 598 QSOs in CQWW CW (10M) and 420 in the ARRL 160 CW, about 85 
percent S&P (assisted), and don't recall a single instance where an 
incorrect spot led me even to think about calling a station who wasn't 
really there.  N1MM's Spectrum Display shows previously-worked stations, 
so it would be glaringly obvious when spots for K3LPL and W3LPL showed 
up on the same frequency. I didn't see it happen.


73, Pete N4ZR,for the N1MM Team
Check out our web server at
.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 12/5/2022 10:55 AM, Ron Spencer via Topband wrote:

Re Packet and the contest


May not be of interest to everyone.



Sat evening around 0010 or so, had been running with a nice rate. Then a dupe. 
And another. And yet another. This continued for around 15 minutes until I 
finally QSY'd to escape.



My guess of what happened: someone spotted me but with an incorrect call. On all those 
using packet, a new call popped up. They clicked on it, dumped in their call. Typically I 
work all dupes and,  for the first few did but, as the volume grew, I replied with their 
call, mine and "B4". Most went away but a few insisted on a Q.



In addition to showing how far our hobby has sunk, isn't it the responsibility 
of the calling station to actually copy the call sign? Many of the stations 
that duped me were very recognizable stations. Again, guessing, they were 
running SO2R, clicked on the spot, called and expected a quick Q. NEVER 
bothering to check accuracy of packet spot. Is it a valid contact if you don't 
copy the actual call sign? Even if the call was correct on packet. Or are we 
moving towards letting the computer do most of the work?



Sure would be interesting if more contests were like the Stew Perry where no 
spotting assistance is allowed. You have to actually copy the information.. 
Yes, I know. A radical idea.



Ron

N4XD
Sent usinghttps://www.zoho.com/mail/
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Topband: Cluster Spots and the ARRL 160

[ws6x.ars]

Hi Ron,
And I thought it was just me. I too, had to resort to S&P because of the number 
of dupes. In 9 hrs. of operating, I had 16 total, plus another 4 where the 
operator caught themselves and said, "SRI." I have never seen anything like it. 
I had a K2 who called me on Sat evening for a dupe, and 4 minutes later called 
me again!
Like you, I figured it was bad cluster spots. However, I searched the database 
for the usual blown calls -- WI6X, WS6K, WH6X and WS7X. To my surprise, I can't 
find a single spot with any of these variations.
I agree: several of these callers were well-known, competent contest operators. 
Most I had worked dozens of times.
For 160M tests, I have long since adjusted my callsign in the N1MM text 
scripts. I add a half-space before the "S" and slow the "S" down by 2 wpm. In 
the past, this has always served me well. But not in this test. 
>From this QTH I had lots of QRN and rapid, deep QSB. I even slowed my sending 
>by 2 wpm from Sat evening on. That did not seem to do the trick.
Besides the usual wide key-clickers, I also heard an unusual number of signals 
breaking up. Some to the point of being nearly uncopiable. Was this strange 
atmospheric condx? Was this what was bugging my signal?
I'm curious if others experienced the same stuff.
Jim - WS6X


-Original Message-
From: Topband  On Behalf Of 
Ron Spencer via Topband
Sent: Monday, December 5, 2022 10:55 AM
To: topband 
Subject: Topband: ARRL 160

Re Packet and the contest  
May not be of interest to everyone. 
Sat evening around 0010 or so, had been running with a nice rate. Then a dupe. 
And another. And yet another. This continued for around 15 minutes until I 
finally QSY'd to escape. 

My guess of what happened: someone spotted me but with an incorrect call. On 
all those using packet, a new call popped up. They clicked on it, dumped in 
their call. Typically I work all dupes and,  for the first few did but, as the 
volume grew, I replied with their call, mine and "B4". Most went away but a few 
insisted on a Q. 

In addition to showing how far our hobby has sunk, isn't it the responsibility 
of the calling station to actually copy the call sign? Many of the stations 
that duped me were very recognizable stations. Again, guessing, they were 
running SO2R, clicked on the spot, called and expected a quick Q. NEVER 
bothering to check accuracy of packet spot. Is it a valid contact if you don't 
copy the actual call sign? Even if the call was correct on packet. Or are we 
moving towards letting the computer do most of the work? 

Sure would be interesting if more contests were like the Stew Perry where no 
spotting assistance is allowed. You have to actually copy the information.. 
Yes, I know. A radical idea.

Ron
N4XD

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Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: ARRL 160

[Ed Parish]

The same thing happened to me. I occasionally get a dupe, but at one point,
all of a sudden, I worked 10 or 12 dupes in a row. I finally had to QSY.
Running unassisted, I couldn't tell what was spotted on my frequency, but I
knew it was a busted call.

reply to: k...@arrl.net

On Mon, Dec 5, 2022, 23:47 Ron Spencer via Topband 
wrote:

> Re Packet and the contest
>
>
> May not be of interest to everyone.
>
>
>
> Sat evening around 0010 or so, had been running with a nice rate. Then a
> dupe. And another. And yet another. This continued for around 15 minutes
> until I finally QSY'd to escape.
>
>
>
> My guess of what happened: someone spotted me but with an incorrect call.
> On all those using packet, a new call popped up. They clicked on it, dumped
> in their call. Typically I work all dupes and,  for the first few did but,
> as the volume grew, I replied with their call, mine and "B4". Most went
> away but a few insisted on a Q.
>
>
>
> In addition to showing how far our hobby has sunk, isn't it the
> responsibility of the calling station to actually copy the call sign? Many
> of the stations that duped me were very recognizable stations. Again,
> guessing, they were running SO2R, clicked on the spot, called and expected
> a quick Q. NEVER bothering to check accuracy of packet spot. Is it a valid
> contact if you don't copy the actual call sign? Even if the call was
> correct on packet. Or are we moving towards letting the computer do most of
> the work?
>
>
>
> Sure would be interesting if more contests were like the Stew Perry where
> no spotting assistance is allowed. You have to actually copy the
> information.. Yes, I know. A radical idea.
>
>
>
> Ron
>
> N4XD
> Sent using https://www.zoho.com/mail/
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: My new 9 Circle works great!

[Stig Vestergaard]

I completely agree with you Jim, AB3CV.

I am in more or less the same situation as you, too little footprint for
several serious beverages, single or phased, but instead the W1EW / VE6WZ 9
circle with only 120ft diameter is really an improvement here on a little
footprint.  Steve, VE6WZ has done so many great YouTube videos, not only on
the 9 circle subject, but other TopBand issues.
By the way I am using my 9 circle in diversity RX mode on the transceiver
with other small receive antennas, as short beverages, Bog's and DHDL, it
works great.
Sure long Beverage  (too long for my property), would outperform the 9
circle in the same direction, but then I need a serious big property to get
the opportunity to switch directions from several bev's.

Now we only need more activity on 160M CW, so we can have more fun, and
reason to play with antennas, hi.

Great job Steve, VE6WZ and ofcourse John, W1FV who optimized and
developed the smaller 9 circle.


Stig, OZ4MM


Den tir. 6. dec. 2022 kl. 05.49 skrev Joe :

> Any links to this system?
>
> Joe WB9SBD
>
> On 12/4/2022 1:34 PM, Jim Miller wrote:
> > Thanks to Steve's, VE6WZ, excellent YouTube videos, I decided to tackle a
> > better RX antenna. I've been using a 2 element array phased by an NCC-2
> > which is better than what I've had in the past (BOG, K9AY) but I wanted
> > better.
> >
> > After evaluating my space available and finding it too small I asked my
> > neighbor for seasonal use of their adjoining lot and they graciously
> > agreed! My N, NW and W elements are on their property.
> >
> > Steve's videos include KiCad files for the combiner and preamps and he
> was
> > very helpful by email with any of my questions.
> >
> > I just completed the array last night and got it on the air and I was
> > astonished by how well it worked.
> >
> > Of course it isn't going to create signals out of thin air but it is much
> > quieter due to better RDF and the front to back is very impressive.
> Strong
> > signals on the waterfall just disappear when the antenna is reversed!
> >
> > I'm very happy to get such an improved antenna for 80 and 160 in a 120ft
> > diameter circle!
> >
> > As a bonus I use it with PSTRotator and a USB controlled relay box so no
> > manual switch box is required on my desk. Just a mouse click selects the
> > desired direction or it can track my logger automatically.
> >
> > FYI, most of the cost is in the aluminum, the combiner and preamps were
> > pretty cheap to build.
> >
> > Many thanks to VE6WZ!!
> >
> > 73
> >
> > jim ab3cv
> > _
> > Searchable Archives:http://www.contesting.com/_topband  - Topband
> Reflector
> >
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>
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