Feed aggregator

Chris, DL8MBS wrote an excellent article regarding RadioSport operating time, its relationship to power, and band conditions. His graphical analysis of the Russian DX Contest (RDXC) logs in addition to CQ World Wide DX logs suggested one's power level correlates with hours of operating time.

Analysis.
His analysis of 2007 RDXC data revealed an average operating time of 9.7 hours (n = 984) out of (n = 1006) or 66.9 percent operated no more than 12 hours out of 24 available hours. Additionally, only 6.4 percent of the total, invested 23 or 24 hours in this event.

Furthermore, his 2009 analysis of available operating data, supported his 2007 conclusion that is, 69 percent operated less than 14 hours subsequently; due to band conditions, high power categories invested greater operating time.

The Long Tail.
I was struck by the distribution of operating hours for the CQ World Wide DX franchise. Chris, DL8MBS discovered Morse code operators remain in the chair longer than phone counterparts. His analysis suggested 90.47 percent of phone operators operated less than 24 hours while 80.5 percent operated less than 18 hours.

The average phone operation was 11.3 hours contrasted against 14.5 hours for Morse code operators.

Conclusion.
Perhaps, the competitive RadioSport reality is, as one begins investing financial and material resources toward the Box then operating time is proportional. It goes up. Likewise, one's power level is an important factor when considering "how much" time to spend in the chair as well.

However, given Cycle 24 trends, low power operators may begin spending additional time in the chair?

My plan this weekend for the 2010 RDXC event will focus on high bands only. In effect, I want to spend about 12 hours in the operating chair, that's average. The question I'm asking, "Is average good enough?"

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

What counts in the realm of RadioSport when a contender enters the ionospheric arena to compete against established heavyweights like CQ World Wide and/or ARRL International DX?

Competition Is Healthy.
The ultimate measure is fun across all RadioSport levels and, at the end of the day, the number of logs submitted.

I imagine sponsors and contest committees are noting the rise of the Russian DX Contest from upstart to serious contender. The event scheduled for this weekend will certainly benefit from the sometimes staggering Cycle 24 trend. Likewise, one must read the rules and discover a fresh perspective in a sport that embraces technology to limited degrees.

Practice, Practice, Practice.
I decided this year because of the Russian DX Contest point structure, a modest station like mine can have a lot of fun;

• 10 points for logged Russian -Qs.
• 5 points for different continent.
• 3 points for different country on same continent.
• 2 points for one's country.
  

I attempted this event at the low edge of Cycle 24 and the numbers suggest different results this year. Let's have ham radio fun beneath the ionospheric arena, practice good sportsmanship, and test our station configurations while the contender takes on the heavyweights.

Contest on!

It didn't matter that conditions in the 2010 ARRL DX SSB Contest weren't as good as two weeks earlier in the CW leg. It also didn't matter that one of the operators hadn't contested in years, as a pair of retired US Navy Admirals, K0DQ and N4OC, still found a winning Multi-Single formula at "Papa Forty Navy".

It's back to normal in 2010 for the Russian DX Contest, after three years in which it was a major qualifying contest for this year's World Radiosport Team Championships to be held outside Moscow. Not only can you chase Russian ops this weekend, but there are also three state QSO Parties in the US to choose from in Oklahoma, Virginia and North Dakota.

In the wake of public criticism of contesters by a top IARU official, a radio-sport.net review has found that hundreds of competitors in Europe, Africa and Northern Asia have violated the licensing rules of their country by operating on frequencies not allocated to them on the low end of the 160 meter band.

According to DX World, Stan Strzyzewski, SQ8X announced the launching of a special website to provide aid for tsunami survivors on Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. The mission of the website is to rally our international ham radio community in support of rebuilding island infrastructure and helping survivors return their lives to normalcy.

Furthermore, it was stated at DX World, that Dr. Galdino Besomi, CE3PG who is President of Radio Club de Chile, would declare patronage over aid action. Additionally, the club is 100 percent responsible for collecting and transferring funds to islanders and a monthly report will be posted at the club's website for review.

RadioSport USA | Elecraft QSO Party.
Keyers sound Morse code while voices hail open frequencies and digital modes finalize the connection. The simplest form of human connectivity is the tribe. Elecraft nonetheless has built a community of loyal enthusiasts and its QSO party is an ultimate expression. It expresses one's connection to the radio, and, in broad terms, to a group sharing a common interest.

The object is fun and why not? One goal is to collect rig serial numbers while logging old friends and making new friends. The event itself is open to everyone "no Elecraft radio required" while logged Elecraft serial numbers count five points and no rig serial number counts three points.

Rules (link).

RadioSport USA | Second Class Operator's Marathon Sprint.
I'm laughing with the let's not take ourselves too seriously marathon sprint. How can one have a marathon and sprint at the sametime? They can and they are!

The point is, like other events, it is social connection via the airwaves that brings people together. I wonder which is first, our technology connecting with others, or people connecting with technology, in either case, it's a ham radio tribal weekend.

Rules (link).

SFI = 90 | A-index = 9 | K-index = 1 | Sunspot count is 31 @0101UTC.

I want to thank Team N1MM and all the volunteers who are working hard at producing no-cost RadioSport software. The new website appearance is streamlined and easy-to navigate. Drop down menus are superior, overall, a job well done!

N1MM Logger Free Contest Software for Phone, CW, and Digital Modes.

Contest on.

How did the titans of RadioSport in the 70s score inside the Box or achieve a world record score without our modern version of spotting networks? How did they manage without the availability of today's technology such as software controlled radios, switching boxes for single operator 2 radios, or CW Skimmer capable computers?

Perhaps, hours and hours, of skill development in front of the radio, continually improving antenna systems, melting solder on the workbench, and listening to the airwaves for nearly the same amount of time.

Spotting Networks.
Brockman and Cox (1979) stated, "All of a sudden the adrenaline is flowing. The eyes are now bright and intense. In a flash our hero has his VFO zeroed in on the prize. There, on 40 CW, is zone 23! But who? Not to be denied, our hero plunges in with his call. As he comes up for air, he hears the prize once more. JT1AN." (p 43)

Today, the art of listening before taking on the flash swarm generated by spotting networks, is in need of serious re-purposing. The proliferation of junk data is reaching epic proportions as described in various RadioSport reflectors. The utility of the networks, at least in my estimation, is in slow decline. One that, if, left on its own in its present configuration, may harm Box scores and world record attempts.

In 1978, OH2BH piloted CT3BZ in the Madeira Islands, to a new single operator all band world record held only for a year by Dick Norton, N6AA who operated 9Y4AA. Additionally, according to Brockman and Cox, for the first time ever a single band entrant broke the one million point barrier (1979). Jorge, LU8DQ accomplished the impossible.

It was a tremendous year for those seeking world or continental records.

599 Never Dies.
Are we still having this conversation? Apparently, we are, because in 1978 many operators according to the article lobbied the committee asking them to jettison the report. It was suggested that the committee would look into the matter.

RadioSport Ethics.
Computerized logging begins its slow march toward dominating RadioSport. However, in its infancy, an alphabetized cross check reference list was required. Padded logging plagued log checkers then like the unsavory method of rubber clocking in the 21st Century.

On the other hand, one entrant miscopied JA callsigns to the tune of 20 percent of the log total, according to Brockman and Cox (1979); it was unacceptable. The voice of history suggested everyone concentrate on accuracy and not as much on speed.

Conclusion.
They managed to compete and win without the aid of flash swarms generated by spotting networks. Perhaps, back in the day, data traveled slowly weaving itself through VHF/UHF links while a team of spotters carefully listened on high frequency. One's reputation was on the line while waiting for an opportunity in the pilot's seat.

I'm convinced a new spotting platform is needed for the longevity of the sport. One that will correct errant oft times malicious data which may lead to irreparable damage when chasing a world or continental score.

My take away in a sport that cherishes speed is one can be accurate and speedy however accuracy trumps speed ever time.

Lastly, will we ever retire 599?

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

Reference: Brockman, L. N6AR, Cox, B. K3EST (October, 1979). CQ Magazine: 1978 CQ World Wide DX Contest: C.W. Results. pp. 43 - 53.

After a focus last weekend on Canada and the United States in the ARRL SSB test, this weekend CQ BERU will be the order, as the 2010 Commonwealth Contest arrives with its unique theme of contacts only between stations in the British Commonwealth and Territories. John Sluymer VE3EJ is the defending Single-Operator BERU champ.