I think you've got more grey worrying about people not giving out a true report. You must have a good life if this is all you ahve to worry about. I must admit I do get a laugh from your video's so keep them up.
The use of a "signal report" in contesting has come to be used as a substitute for sending "be ready to copy" and functions as a "heads up" for the start of the whole exchange of information. Contesting, like all of ham radio, evolves to serve efficient communication needs; this is an example. OINK needs a new hobby, and not YouTube video mistake.
Burt, you say you can't be 5/9 with 5 watts but that is not true. A signal report is not based on the reading on a S meter and anyone who does use the S meter to give a signal report should go back to CB.
You fail to take into account the gain of their antennas. If they've an antenna with 10dBd gain, they would receive you as if you were putting out 50W on a dipole. I've worked 5 continents with 50W on a dipole including working with 10W VK3MO longpath thanks to his 5 stacked monoband yagis.
@burt2481 Heh-heh. Oh I get your point OK. I remember on RSGB field day getting something like a 4/7 report. The software wouldn't even allow anything other than a 5/9 to be put in! I do think a more realistic signal report would be better and would also make things more difficult in a contest. I do contesting, mostly the big four, and I got 1st in world in my category. I know you say there's no skill but only running 100W into a 75ft long inverted L 25ft high, it sure isn't my "big gun" station
The point is usually to understand your call correctly and the information after the report (QSO serial number, zone, state, etc). Also the S-meter of different radios are likely to show differences quite big.
Everybody knows they are not all 59 or 599 , but it is not that important in this situation. Just "Play the game".
I like your videos and your critical view on amateur radio and I agree with many things you say... but not all !
@CT1ELP In Germany in World War II everyone played the game and millions died. Of course this is totally different in many ways but why make a rule if it is totally disregardred?
@burt2481 I believe it is just something that came from the past, maybe the contest organisers should eliminate the necessity for the signal report and just exchange call and contest relevant info.
Honestly I like to participate in the big world wide contests but have been away from contesting beacause I haven't had the time to spend a complete weekend on the radio and also because of the disrespect for the rules by so many participants, special concerning power limitation and assistance.
@CT1ELP have to agree 100% with that. I also participate in the "big contests" and think ARRL should simply drop RST from the required exchange because as you point out even the weakest signal is always a 5/9 or 5/9/9 so it is useless to exchange a signal report. Also yes there is allot of cheating using spotting clusters and power limits.
I have been hearing some QSO with T32C STN, they always use 599 or 59 , I just don't get it that why people want to talk to some island nobody live , and all of the operators of station are visitors from other developed countries. radio is useful for remote rural area where other method of communication is not available, and HF is one of the inexpensive way to do so. but, no point of creating such situation. so people can talk to remote rural area of the world.
For non-hams, or for reference: search "wiki RST_code" for background.
While I totally agree about the pointlessness and "lying" aspect of "5-9"s as a one-size-fits-all response, I'll go along with it during contests... things move too fast to beg for a real report then; some contest rules actually include "5-9" as part of the required exchange.
OTOH, I also have a modest station, and would really appreciate a true reception report... including any sound quality issues (ALC distortion) etc.
You express various concerns in several of your videos about Amateur Radio operators and their misuse of language. That being said, your use of "kilowatt" as the phonetic for the first letter of your call sign is incorrect, as the standard NATO phonetic alphabet specifies "kilo". Granted, this is a rather insignificant point, but no less so than many you present in your videos. People who live in glass houses....
Hi Bert, I agree with you wholeheartedly, hams should be upstanding pillars of society, I think the ham community should set a good example and have a new rule that only allows politicians to become Radio Hams and clean up the airways, don't you agree? ... Man I can copy those expletives 5 and 9 plus 20 in the UK. Keep on having fun with your radio Burt. 73's Andy gw0jxm.
Most contests don't give any extra points for a 5/9 vs a lower signal anyhow, its just an exchange of information. Granted the reports may not be accurate but it would be false to imply the contesters are gaining an advantage with them.
Burt, actually your signal was 5-9, they just had an extraordinarily difficult time deciphering your particularly heavy New England dialect of the English language.
I like to see FCC start citing stations causing interference by contesting. And hold contest sponsors , both civil and criminally liable for providing environment to commit crime. as any FCC violation are criminal offenses, and interfering is crime. ( Federal Law Violation ). Contesters are nuisance , as road racer are on streets.
@QROFB you do have the WARC bands in which contesting does not take place. If you can't deal with contesting on the occasional weekend you could always go there and rag chew. Contesting IS legal according to the FCC so get off your high horse. Get a better radio or better filters and you won't get interference.
I vote for Burt to be president of ARRL and to change all the contest rules to allow one contest per year on the 16 meter band only. And ofcourse this band isn't permitted for ham use. Hams causing qrm on any other band by causing a contest to happen are to have their licences revoked. All hams to be competent in the use of CW to atleast 25 wpm. All hams to have some homebrew gear in the shack or garden. All hams to act like gentlemen and friends and be helpful to others and not lie.
I'm with you on this one Burt. Contests serve no purpose if people don't give true and accurate signal reports. Hearing the words "CQ Contest" either force me onto 17m or hit the off button. Contests also bring out the worst in ops with people barging in on a frequency that is in use.
I've always disliked the constant "59s" in contests as well. I'm generally not a contester...at least not a "hardcore" one. Why bother with giving a signal report if it's not going to be accurate? Enjoyed the video. (Though I know some of my contesting friends will disagree and will have an explanation of why this practice is done.)
I am always a 5/9 with my 100 watts and G5RV man I must have a hidden Alpha Amp I don't know about. Just ask any DX station I have worked and I am always a 5/9. (Except from I2VRN but he gives honest signal reports and has a 4 element beam on 40 meters)
Burt,
I think you've got more grey worrying about people not giving out a true report. You must have a good life if this is all you ahve to worry about. I must admit I do get a laugh from your video's so keep them up.
VK4NM
VKQLDHAM 1 week ago
The use of a "signal report" in contesting has come to be used as a substitute for sending "be ready to copy" and functions as a "heads up" for the start of the whole exchange of information. Contesting, like all of ham radio, evolves to serve efficient communication needs; this is an example. OINK needs a new hobby, and not YouTube video mistake.
hs0zcw 2 months ago
@hs0zcw Contesting is the real OINKER, full of fat pigs that HOG the bands
burt2481 2 months ago
5 -- Perfectly readable, 9 -- Extremely strong signals 9 -- Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind.
If the other guy asks you to repeat yourself you are NOT 599!
Burt is right. We defeat he whole system of giving each other reports by trying to be polite.
I would rather have a good honest report.
73, Tom N2BEW
tjbewick 2 months ago
Can't figure out if you are just making fun of this or trying to be a Masshole.
gletchford 3 months ago 3
@gletchford you are minus the M
burt2481 3 months ago
Burt, you say you can't be 5/9 with 5 watts but that is not true. A signal report is not based on the reading on a S meter and anyone who does use the S meter to give a signal report should go back to CB.
You fail to take into account the gain of their antennas. If they've an antenna with 10dBd gain, they would receive you as if you were putting out 50W on a dipole. I've worked 5 continents with 50W on a dipole including working with 10W VK3MO longpath thanks to his 5 stacked monoband yagis.
conorturton 3 months ago
@conorturton Good point but did you hear how many gave me a 59 and had trouble copying me?
burt2481 3 months ago
@burt2481 Heh-heh. Oh I get your point OK. I remember on RSGB field day getting something like a 4/7 report. The software wouldn't even allow anything other than a 5/9 to be put in! I do think a more realistic signal report would be better and would also make things more difficult in a contest. I do contesting, mostly the big four, and I got 1st in world in my category. I know you say there's no skill but only running 100W into a 75ft long inverted L 25ft high, it sure isn't my "big gun" station
conorturton 3 months ago
I love this.
MRBIGBANDMAN 4 months ago
Burt, I love you man! What you say is obviously true, and I love stirring up the pot as much as you do. BTW, your video was 5/9, 5/9.
ky5u 4 months ago
The point is usually to understand your call correctly and the information after the report (QSO serial number, zone, state, etc). Also the S-meter of different radios are likely to show differences quite big.
Everybody knows they are not all 59 or 599 , but it is not that important in this situation. Just "Play the game".
I like your videos and your critical view on amateur radio and I agree with many things you say... but not all !
73 de CT1ELP, Pedro
CT1ELP 4 months ago
@CT1ELP In Germany in World War II everyone played the game and millions died. Of course this is totally different in many ways but why make a rule if it is totally disregardred?
burt2481 4 months ago
@burt2481 I believe it is just something that came from the past, maybe the contest organisers should eliminate the necessity for the signal report and just exchange call and contest relevant info.
Honestly I like to participate in the big world wide contests but have been away from contesting beacause I haven't had the time to spend a complete weekend on the radio and also because of the disrespect for the rules by so many participants, special concerning power limitation and assistance.
CT1ELP 4 months ago
@CT1ELP The word of how many birds a bird watcher sees is accepted on faith, hams have to provide logs/QSL cards etc. Hams are not to be trusted
burt2481 4 months ago
@CT1ELP have to agree 100% with that. I also participate in the "big contests" and think ARRL should simply drop RST from the required exchange because as you point out even the weakest signal is always a 5/9 or 5/9/9 so it is useless to exchange a signal report. Also yes there is allot of cheating using spotting clusters and power limits.
barett1962 2 months ago 2
Comment removed
CT1ELP 4 months ago
Comment removed
CT1ELP 4 months ago
I have been hearing some QSO with T32C STN, they always use 599 or 59 , I just don't get it that why people want to talk to some island nobody live , and all of the operators of station are visitors from other developed countries. radio is useful for remote rural area where other method of communication is not available, and HF is one of the inexpensive way to do so. but, no point of creating such situation. so people can talk to remote rural area of the world.
QROFB 5 months ago
For non-hams, or for reference: search "wiki RST_code" for background.
While I totally agree about the pointlessness and "lying" aspect of "5-9"s as a one-size-fits-all response, I'll go along with it during contests... things move too fast to beg for a real report then; some contest rules actually include "5-9" as part of the required exchange.
OTOH, I also have a modest station, and would really appreciate a true reception report... including any sound quality issues (ALC distortion) etc.
mstax 5 months ago
@mstax Things moving to fast to say 55 instead, 55 is shorter both in voice and CW?
burt2481 5 months ago
Maybe the SIGNAL is a 5-9! He just can't pull him out of the "QRM"! LOL
davetrek1962 5 months ago
@davetrek1962 The 5 part has to do with readability. Thus with QRM a true report if there is QRM could be 39
burt2481 5 months ago
You express various concerns in several of your videos about Amateur Radio operators and their misuse of language. That being said, your use of "kilowatt" as the phonetic for the first letter of your call sign is incorrect, as the standard NATO phonetic alphabet specifies "kilo". Granted, this is a rather insignificant point, but no less so than many you present in your videos. People who live in glass houses....
kty9917 5 months ago
@kty9917 I find kilo is too short and easily misunderstood, I will continue to use it. However I am sure you could find some real errors I committed.
burt2481 5 months ago
Hi Burt is that you?
tron2102 5 months ago
@tron2102 yes
burt2481 5 months ago
Hi Bert, I agree with you wholeheartedly, hams should be upstanding pillars of society, I think the ham community should set a good example and have a new rule that only allows politicians to become Radio Hams and clean up the airways, don't you agree? ... Man I can copy those expletives 5 and 9 plus 20 in the UK. Keep on having fun with your radio Burt. 73's Andy gw0jxm.
AndyDaviesByTheSea 5 months ago
Most contests don't give any extra points for a 5/9 vs a lower signal anyhow, its just an exchange of information. Granted the reports may not be accurate but it would be false to imply the contesters are gaining an advantage with them.
z1power 5 months ago
@z1power Where did I imply that? They just lie, they all lie, thus no advantage
burt2481 5 months ago
Burt, actually your signal was 5-9, they just had an extraordinarily difficult time deciphering your particularly heavy New England dialect of the English language.
Moreoff 5 months ago 2
@Moreoff I was sadly born in NJ
burt2481 5 months ago
I like to see FCC start citing stations causing interference by contesting. And hold contest sponsors , both civil and criminally liable for providing environment to commit crime. as any FCC violation are criminal offenses, and interfering is crime. ( Federal Law Violation ). Contesters are nuisance , as road racer are on streets.
QROFB 5 months ago
@QROFB you do have the WARC bands in which contesting does not take place. If you can't deal with contesting on the occasional weekend you could always go there and rag chew. Contesting IS legal according to the FCC so get off your high horse. Get a better radio or better filters and you won't get interference.
barett1962 2 months ago 2
Comment removed
QROFB 5 months ago
This is a great video, well done!
If there not providing correct reports most of these contacts could be classed as invalid.
Leighroy207 5 months ago
I agree with you
OKMUNWURX 5 months ago
Comment removed
combatwombat71 5 months ago
I vote for Burt to be president of ARRL and to change all the contest rules to allow one contest per year on the 16 meter band only. And ofcourse this band isn't permitted for ham use. Hams causing qrm on any other band by causing a contest to happen are to have their licences revoked. All hams to be competent in the use of CW to atleast 25 wpm. All hams to have some homebrew gear in the shack or garden. All hams to act like gentlemen and friends and be helpful to others and not lie.
73 Sandy
g0vqw 5 months ago
BTW nice Hy Gain verticle!!! Love it!!!
TheZeke1974 5 months ago
Once again, Burt tells it like it really is!!! For some hams the truth hurts!!!
TheZeke1974 5 months ago
Another good one Burt. Keep exposing the clueless. Damned funny, but true!
KU5Q 5 months ago
I'm a nurse and this reminds me of a story. A nurse reported pulses in both feet.. Imposible because one leg was prosthetic
robkb1fjr 5 months ago
I'm with you on this one Burt. Contests serve no purpose if people don't give true and accurate signal reports. Hearing the words "CQ Contest" either force me onto 17m or hit the off button. Contests also bring out the worst in ops with people barging in on a frequency that is in use.
rjy8960 5 months ago
I've always disliked the constant "59s" in contests as well. I'm generally not a contester...at least not a "hardcore" one. Why bother with giving a signal report if it's not going to be accurate? Enjoyed the video. (Though I know some of my contesting friends will disagree and will have an explanation of why this practice is done.)
magrum21 5 months ago
I am always a 5/9 with my 100 watts and G5RV man I must have a hidden Alpha Amp I don't know about. Just ask any DX station I have worked and I am always a 5/9. (Except from I2VRN but he gives honest signal reports and has a 4 element beam on 40 meters)
W6CSAhamradio 5 months ago
very entertaining OM... tnx es 73
oh... you're 5-9 OM!!!!
kk0dj 5 months ago
Burt you get the "Geraldo Rivera Moustache Award" for investigative reporting in contesting!
KB4QAA 5 months ago
Laughed the whole time!! :)
SkylaneCaptain 5 months ago
Most conteststations ( i thinks abt 75% ) on shortwave AND vhf & UP do use a lot of power but they do'nt have ears of they have bad ears.
It can be very low operating practice also
pa2ru 5 months ago
they probably have printed their 59 on their qsl cars already!!!
wedudoni 5 months ago
@wedudoni nailed it
burt2481 5 months ago