WHY I Do Radiosport - PT. 7 - MORE about Feedback

In Part 5 of this BLOG Series, I detailed the importance of Feedback.  What might not be initially apparent is that feedback can manifest in a number of different forms; you simply need to know
the significance of what you are "looking at".

Technically, the definition of "Feedback" is to take the output (or result) of something and feed it BACK to it's input, but, in a controlled manner.  A typical OP-amp circuit does just that.  Adding a
few minor complexities to the circuit allows us to create mixers, comparators, bandpass filters and even notching circuits.

In radiosport, feedback can come in many divergent "flavors"; some begin before the contest event, some during and even some forms of feedback come into play when wrapping up a contest event.  This contest BLOG entry attempts to explain this phenomenon.

For example, before each contest event I review last year's participation in that event. 
One of the reasons I document my contest activities in the WQ6X Contest Blog is so that a year from now I don't have to rely on memory to recollect what happened and why it occurred - it's already laid out, "with pretty pictures and everything".

Along with MY write up, I usually visit the "results page" for that contest to see how everyone ELSE did, comparing my results to their outcome.  If 3830 Scores data exists for that station I can get a close look at their band performance data to understand things that may have worked for them that may be reprise-able during the upcoming incarnation of that event.

Next up is to review the Space-WX numbers for the last week, allowing the projection of where
things will be (Space-WX wise) during the contest operating period.  Remember that space weather predictions are just THAT - predictions; in actuality, virtually anything can happen on the surface of the sun, changing everything operationally in a matter of minutes.

Because radio conditions can be rather unpredictably volatile an overall band plan was devised
with band alternatives for when things don't go as predicted/expected.

For Part 6 of this BLOG Series, the idea of  "Cheating (but within the rules)" was presented. 
This is hardly a NEW idea ([CLICK HERE] for the original BLOG on this topic).

Remember this: for WQ6X, running radiosport events offers up a variety
of completely different practice / training situations in order to accomplish the goal of emergency preparedness.

Running as assisted/unassisted at different times gives practice when
there is/isn't internet access. 

In all cases, I as an operator, want to know "how I/we am doing"; it is usually to our advantage to take advantage of every piece of information [feedback] available. When such information is not available, it is up to me to compensate for that fact.

One of the advantages of SO2-V is that I can be running a frequency (with RX-B) while populating
the bandmap via S&P (using RX-A).  Doing this provides additional feedback information. 
I have written several BLOG entries on SO2-V, including:

• [O] - The world of SO2V - some thoughts by a newbie operator
• [O] - LEARNING the ART of LEVERAGING DUAL RECEIVE
• [O] - WQ6X SOUND PROCESSING: Maximizing the Art of
            Experimentation

Because a major radiosport goal is to maximize time utilization [practical] feedback offers a gauge
on how well we are doing at any given moment relative to:

• 5 Minutes
• 30 Minutes
• 1 Hour
• on this band yesterday
• last year in this same contest [on this same band]
• Etc.

In contests with expertly-designated multipliers (ARRL Sections, DXCC Countries, CQ/IARU Zones), keeping the mults-worked screen visual at all times gives feedback on what geographical areas to focus on.

If you are a more super-competitive type of person, utilizing the online scoreboards may fuel your competitive spirit.  While I select N1MM+ to SUBMIT my score for scoreboard inclusion, I don't follow the scoreboards; for me, it's too distracting.

Have you ever successfully run a frequency only to have QSO-making slow down to a near-absolute crawl?  Answer?: The RBN Network.  Checking the RBN network while calling CQ can give you an idea of where your CQ's are being heard geographically. 

Ex.: It accomplishes nothing during the November Sweepstakes (SS) if the only stations who can hear you are in Japan (JA) or South America.  With RBN assistance I can determine a better antenna azimuth to find waiting callers.  Checking the RBN 5 minutes after a CQ call offers feedback on where the signal is being heard.

Another idea is to scan the bandmap spots and point the antenna(s) based on the geographical location of those spots.  It is also important to recognize WHO made each spot.  Just because
a station can be heard by EA5UG does not mean that signal can be heard on the West coast.

I have written a LoT about the value of beacons (NCDXF and Russian letter beacons in particular [O]).  If I can hear a given beacon, then theoretically my signal should be "hearable" in that area
of the world (assuming reciprocal propagation characteristics). 

Additionally, even tho we are just now coming out the "bottom" of the sunspot cycle does not mean that 10-meters is not worthy of consideration.  The 28.200 ==> 28.300 amateur beacon area is a largely untapped resource.

Has it ever occurred to you that we have available to us a beacon system which is celebrating its
100 year anniversary?  Altho they have evolved (in terms of capability and geographical location),
the WWV / WWVH time stations not only give us beacon-like capabilities, they also offer up Space-WX reports at 18 & 45 minutes after EVER hour of EVERY day.

During this year's government shutdown, there was the (ludicrous) threat of defunding the NIST budget, threatening the shutdown of BOTH operations; WWV in Ft. Collins Colorado and WWVH in Kekaha Hawaii (Kauai).  A recent bill-passage by congress, not only reversed that ruling, but in fact actually UPPED the funding for NIST operations - HAW - HAW!

I consider the propagation-prediction value of the WWV & WWVH stations so important that every time I setup a new radio (Ex: TS-50, TS-450, FT-900, FT-920, ICOM-7000 & FT-1000mp) I assign
WWV/WWVH frequencies to the 1st-six memories, followed by the 3 CHU (Canadian) time stations. 
Flipping thru those 9 frequencies can give me a quick feel for LUF and MUF limits any time of day.

This morning, before shutting down the FT-1000mp, I did a quick scan of the WWV frequencies noting that 2.5 & 5 signals could not be heard, while copyable signals were heard on 10, 15, 20 & 25 mhz.  10-mhz WWV gives me a feel of what to expect on 30 meters, while 15-mhz WWV correlates
with 20-meters, 20-mhz WWV correlates to 15-meters and 25-mhz WWV correlates to the
10 & 12 meter amateur bands.

As you can see, radiosport Feedback comes in many "flavors" and forms. 
I have often said: FEEDBACK: It's alllll about Feedback.

Do YOU play radiosport?

What FEEDBACK do YOU rely on?