K5ZD's 2007 CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest Recording

I listened to K5ZD's CQWW SSB 2007 recording last night while making changes on the blog. The new template is called minima and I hope it presents a clean, professional appearance.

On the other hand, Randy's archive of past CQWW contests is like re-living the contest experience and I totally dig his Single-Operator 2 Radio (SO2R) operation. His archive might well represent the first collection of CQWW audio recordings on the Internet.

All the best from Kilo-Alpha-Three-Do-Run-Run.

Contest on.

CQ Contest Digest

It's like sitting in a room full of thick, smoggy cigar smoke. Either you're gonna walk back out the door, stoke one up, or sit down for a good listen. The recent and most likely on-going and lively discussion on the CQ-Contest Reflector captivated my interest.

One might say the future direction of RadioSport contesting is underway. But in all matters change always comes slowly to any organization or culture. RadioSport is a culture in and of itself and this discussion might avert the catastrophe called Major League Baseball.

Thread Topics and the Future of RadioSport?

• Recording your CQ WW CW contest.
• Public Logs.
• Shut down the clusters during a contest.
• Spot Abuse - An Intermediate Suggestion.
• Simple solution to address CQ WW CW problems.
• Battle of the Cheaters.
• Cheating problems and their solutions.
• Cheating with packet.
• Contest cheating...steroids?
• Why not turn off the clusters during contests?
• Cheating with packet New rules like one class sailing.
• Calling The Kettle Black - A Call to Action.
• Where did it all start?
• The Cheating Thing.
• A Call to Action - Posting Logs.
• Cheating....ad nauseum.

Slowly, RadioSport contesting is nudging itself toward transparency in an instant world of communications and information dissemination. The reception of sponsors publicly posting one's contest log was lukewarm. Isn't transparency ultimately good for our sport?

I guess the question might be, "What does this mean for me?"

I wager that such public scrutiny might squeeze the fraction of those considering manipulation of their logs for greater personal gains. RadioSport is not professional but one does reap dividends that is respect, adulation, and admiration. It is not cold cash but in the RadioSport culture respect, adulation, and admiration is better than dineros.

Personally, the entire thread synergized itself into one word, integrity at all levels. The disaster of the Steroid Era in Major League Baseball is a warning for all sports. Cheating, if left unchecked, will sully the reputation of the sport and cast a shadow of doubt for all who participate.

No, I can't turn away because I care too damn much for the health and longevity of RadioSport contesting. Log transparency is a good step toward squeezing the fraction who might sully the good reputation that is RadioSport contesting.

Me, Single-Operator All Band (SOAB), And Packet

I'm thinking about SOAB and packet assistance during a ham radio contest. What does this mean for me?

The fervent discussion on cheating and RadioSport seems rooted in the use of packet spotting and SOAB. It is all about the operator in front of the radio. Why not remove the tool of preferred cheating and absorb it into SOAB classification rather than subdivide operator classes along technological lines.

RadioSport is a sport for the fun of competition. Perhaps combining packet assistance with the SOAB classification may result in neutralizing the cheating issue?

Let SOAB operators define their choice of technology; not to use technology; or a mix of both. The genie is out of the bottle and packet spotting is here. But, to use or not too use technology boils down to the operator in front of the radio.

Are the rules of RadioSport contesting advancing along the lines of technology instead of the operator?

Maybe a redefinition of the SOAB class might spur intense competition between Single-Operator 2 Radio (SO2R) and packet assisted SOAB operators in a SOAB class. Subsequently scores might reflect pure operator skill instead of divided along technological lines.

Let competition and skill drive the game instead of technology in the SOAB class. I would like to pitch the idea of getting back to the operator and allow packet spotting in the SOAB class.

Contest on.

"Say It Ain't So RadioSport..."

I wanted to share my thoughts regarding the integrity of RadioSport and what this means as a low-power, low-profile contester running 45-watts.

The recent discussion following CQWW CW 2007 on the CQ-Contest Reflector bugged me. It is now in the court of public opinion and that motivated my blog response. The dark specter of cheating in RadioSport flowed like hot solder on copper wire through the list-service. The argument maybe as old as RadioSport itself given that competition breeds such opportunities.

I like to win. Who doesn't? What is important to me is how I win. I like to compete and how I compete is important as well. What came to mind is sportsmanship and gamesmanship. I realize that a level playing field in RadioSport is nonexistent and never will be. RadioSport is not unlike other sports where the best talent seeks out the best opportunities or building the best station attracts the best talent. I'm cool with that.

I keep in mind that RadioSport is not a professional sport but we are competing against each other or self. My callsign in a contest represents a high degree of sportsmanship and gamesmanship. I take pride in my contest operating practices especially in a pile-up or working the next QSO. Furthermore, when I electronically sign my log and agree to the sponsor's rules, there exists a high degree of honesty and trust.

Is it too much to expect that other passionate competitors play within the rules of the game as well? My presumption is that the majority of contesters are and a fraction may not. But it is the fraction that spoils the bunch and demeans the integrity of RadioSport competition.

Objectively, from my point-of-view, the function of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Contest Advisory Committee is to weigh the evidence if cheating is suspected. The rules are clear on this matter.

Frankly, I'm more than tired of watching the march of athletes who crossed the line between sportsmanship, gamesmanship, and cheating. What has happened to integrity? What is becoming of sports for that matter?

Call it boyish but I believe in our RadioSport legends and those who share in the glory of the Box today. They went the extra mile and deserve the kudos.

But, I do not respect someone who cheated their way into the Box.

"Say it ain't so RadioSport..."

Contest on.

Pursuit Of Perfection

Just finished watching my Steelers loose to the Patriots. It was a tough one for us this afternoon after a promising first half. Perhaps I'm watching NFL history as the Patriots pursue perfection. Who knows it may boil down to the last game of season when the Patriots play the Giants. That game airs on the NFL Network but there's ESPN radio on the AM dial as well.

A good work week to all, 73.

Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

Scot, K9JY does an excellent job explaining really simple syndication (RSS) and what a subscription is all about.

Thanks Scot!

Just RSS.

Grayline Enhancement (Sunrise and Sunset)

My favorite coffee cup is piping hot while I listen to the ionosphere on 30-Meters before sunrise. I'm learning about propagation this morning, specifically grayline effects and, sunrise and sunset enhancement.

Grayline Effects & Enhancement.

• Tom, N4KG (1998) suggested grayline effects as, "...Low loss path of varying width and duration depending on frequency." (para 2)
• Sunrise enhancement according to N4KG accounts for signals peaking from a westerly direction. If I understand this correctly, sunrise from the east, and signals peak out of the west.
• Sunset enhancement, on the other hand, is just the opposite. Sunset in the west and signals peak out of the east.

Tom, N4KG further discussed grayline effects and enhancement as well. A good read for myself and I will keep in mind sunrise and sunset enhancement.

Another interesting read gleaned from Google searching, W8WWV - Lower Bands Background Noise Monitoring written by Greg Ordy (2003). He stated, "I'm sitting at the radio as the sun is setting on a cold winter day, which is approximately 5:00 PM local time. For a few brief minutes, signals from Japan may rise from the noise, as they experience sunrise." (para 9)

I'm expecting sunrise at 0658 local and listening for DX from the west. Just another hour before Helios rise and will the ionosphere share a signal or two this morning?

Just operate.