----- Original Message -----
From: "Pete Smith" <n4zr@contesting.com>
> In the 19th century, mechanical propulsion largely replaced
> sail as the motive power for commercial and military ships.
Yes, and it is the enthusiasts (the amateurs) who still go
to sea in boats without engines - they depend solely on
natural elements (wind, waves and currents) and their own
sailing skills to get where they want, and they accept the
inherent uncertainties.
If these "sailors" use any other form of propulsion, they
are no longer sailing. There is no question of using any
other form of propulsion in sailboat races.
In the same way, the internet is now replacing RF for many
communications services. It is the enthusiasts (the amateurs)
who still depend on their own skills and on natural elements
for the propagation of their RF and for the reception of RF
from others worldwide, and they accept the inherent
uncertainties.
If these "contesters" use any other communications technology,
they are no longer radio amateurs. There should be no question
of using any other form of communications in amateur radio
contests.
But there already is - I hear you say. Well, "daft" is the
best word I can manage to describe this situation. I've
said it before, and I'll repeat it as often as necesary.
"Regardless of how we got here, or how well-intentioned the
developers were/are, we should not be here. The internet
serves only to undermine amateur radio - by putting the wires
back into wireless."
<snip>
> At the highest level, sailboat competitions such as the
> America's Cup involve use of extremely advanced technology
> on the non-propulsive side of the bright line defining the
> sport.
Agreed, and that's the equivalent of our non-internet side
of contesting. We are the spectrum sailors, and it is
foolish to use other communications technologies, while
contesting, and still pretend to be sailors.
> Competitions among powerboats occur too,
There is a competitive side to all human activities - the
trick is to keep them from overlapping.
----- Original Message -----
From: "K1TTT" <K1TTT@ARRL.NET>
> Right, so we all need to keep adding to our fun so we
> keep coming back for more and attract new operators!
> New technology adds to my fun, so I am more likely to get
> out on the lake to try to do something more than before with
> it.
Are you saying that adding an engine to a sailboat makes it
more fun? If so, you are no longer sailing. If you're
not saying that, what are you saying?
Perhaps you are drawing a distinction between technology
used as an accessory or a design improvement, and technology
used as an additional propulsion menthod. You can't have it
both ways.
> If I had to keep using manual cw with paper logs and no
> spotting network I would probably have given up years ago.
Then use improvements in technology (accessories) to do away
with manual CW, or to do away with paper logs - but don't
use technology to replace RF and its associated propagation
uncertainties. That would be daft, like putting the wires
back into wireless.
But you're doing that already! Doesn't the spotting network
do away with most of the need to listen (using RF) for mults
and other stations not worked?
Does the thought of depending, for "fun", on a separate wired
professional communications technology, while contesting, not
strike you as a little incongruous?
If this described CBers we would all have a good laugh.
73,
Paul EI5DI
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