"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing
question, but is related by being a CW operating question.


With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

- Mike KB3EIA -


Yes it is worth giving the CW contacts double points. It will serve as an
aid in preserving a valuable communications tool. Some people will learn it
for the very purpose of getting more points in the contest.

This last Field Day, conditions were so poor that our two CW stations netted
more contacts than our three voice stations and GOTA station combined. Not
just points mind you but actual number of contacts.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE