The use of macros in digimode QSO’s.
I found an interesting discussion thread on the eHam.net forums recently debating the merits (or otherwise) of macros in digital communications.
The thread I refer to is here - Macros after calling. Annnoying or Lazy?.
I thought I’d express some of my own thoughts on the matter given that I tend to spend most of my operating time using PSK31 and RTTY digital modes.
The things I like about macros are:-
- They save on the amount of typing required, especially where the same information is sent from one QSO to the next. (i.e. calling CQ, sending name/QTH/RST info)
- Used well they provide a simple rubber-stamp framework for contacts between stations where one or both operators may not have English as their first language.
- They can be tailored to suit most styles of QSO (eg. contest).
Things I dislike with macros are:-
- They can be set to send a morass of pointless irrelevant station info (such as computer make & model, processor type, how much RAM etc.). I really don’t need to know all that. Your antenna however does interest me…
- Many operators seem to conduct all of their contacts using only macros and never deviate from their canned QSO format.
- They have no regard for conditions and are rarely adjusted to cater for (for instance) fading (QSB) where shorter more concise exchanges are better.
When I’m operating either PSK31 or RTTY I do use macros but over time I have refined them to be short and to contain only that information that is (I believe) likely to be of interest to the guy on the other end of my signal. This also serves to keep my TX cool (due to less time spent transmitting) and stops the fans blowing (rig plus power supply) which is a bit annoying late at night when I’m trying not to disturb others in the house.
To what extent I rely on the macros though does vary from one operating session to another, depending on how much time I have on the band, how much DX there is about and whether or not I’m in a ragchewing mood.
Certainly if the bands are alive with lots of nice DX (and I’m the one CQ’ing) I don’t want to spend 5 minutes ‘listening’ to some guy giving me chapter & verse on his new whizzy-woo computer and it’s assorted contents! I want to work as many as possible and see what DX I can snag. At other times though I’ll gladly spend many long minutes chewing the fat with someone who is inclined to veer away from the basic macro exchanges and this is where PSK31 in particular has thrown up some really nice contacts.
At the end of the day it all depends what mood I’m in as to how much I’ll rely on macros but I do believe that all users of digital modes where macros are widely used owe it to all of their fellow hams to manage & refine their macros to keep them short, to the point and relevant.