Tom,

When I'm low and digging out, I don't need the distraction
of the radio. I just want to hear the vario and look
outside. And when I'm low, there's nobody down with
me. Granted, in a contest, there's not much going
on over 123.3, except when you hear competitors calling
in 'four miles' and 'finish'. When I'm digging out,
hanging on by fingernails, I don't need to hear that.
Radio is off. But when I'm up and when I suspect
or know other gliders could be around or are around,
I'll have the radio on.

I've never had the 'pleasure' of 'digging out' with
company. If I ever do, the radio will be on.

And don't worry about flying with me. If we ever ended
up at the same contest, you would have to do a 180,
hold your binoculars up, and look way back along the
course you just flew and way down. Also, look for
the non-moving glider on the ground.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA


At 17:31 11 September 2007, 5z wrote:
On Sep 11, 11:06 am, Ray Lovinggood
GPS altitude? Which of our GPS's show gps and/or pressure
altitude?

It's not going to change by more than a few hundred
feet, so as in any
other altitude restrictions, just add a personal fudge
factor.

BB suggested allowing the CD to call off the task.
This means you have to have your radio turned on.
Up to the pilot to keep the radio on.

It should already be on in case another nearby pilot
needs to make a
safety call to you.

Dang hard for me to thermal, especially when digging
out, which I find myself doing a lot, with the radio
on.

Remind me to stay clear of you in thermals! See above.
I'm serious.

-Tom