CW skimmer makes paddles go further?

Like virtually all sports, amateur radio does have its controversies and a current one is called the CW Skimmer, but what is it?

A clever piece of software developed by Alex Shovkoplyas VE3NEA, the Canadian who is also behind the DX Atlas and a number of other ham radio programs.

CW Skimmer receives and decodes signals and graphically shows them as a band map on a computer screen, listing stations by callsign and frequency.

The software obviously can help to more easily find stations, which could be very useful during a contest or a DXpedition.

Meanwhile Pete Smith N4ZR is pushing for listening centres to be set up using the software to create a 'reverse beacon' network.

CW Skimmer is sparking lots of debate as to whether it's just a new innovation that should be embraced by radio amateurs, or outlawed by ham radio contest rule makers.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Wireless Institute of Australia