> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Gerry Hull
> Sent: March 17, 2007 13:56
> To: vo1he@rac.ca
> Cc: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules
>
> No offense, Gerry, but you can't be serious! I have no
> problem with people "thinking outside the box" when it comes
> to improving technology to make things better. The SteppIR
> antenna is a case in point. But what you are proposing here
> is tantamount to reducing amateur "radio" to a wired system
> and if you think that is forward thinking, then you'll really
> have fun with your wind-up or rotary dial landline telephone
> and your telegraph connection to Mr Drucker's store.
>
> To me, it has nothing to do with the DXCC desk or
> cheating.... it just doesn't seem to be in keeping with the
> advancements of radio. We used to pride ourselves on our
> ability to take a bunch of gear and set it up in a field
> anywhere and provide communications. That was the basis for Field Day.
>
> Now everyone gets in a snit if the Internet connection goes
> down and they can't connect to the cluster. Just imagine a
> network wide failure in the middle of a contest and everyone
> loses their connections. Oh, the horror!
>
> Nope, like I said before, this is not what I got my licence for.
>
> 73 -- Paul VO1HE
>
>
> Non taken, Paul.
>
> What about my proposal does not involve radio?
>
> The TenTec Omni VII is a very interesting radio... It has a
> 10baseT connection for remote control... Too bad that control
> has to be via a computer... Hams are hung up with the
> interface... If the OMNI-VII control panel itself was able to
> be "remoteed" across the internet, then you would be sitting
> in front of a radio, using the same skills and time-honored
> methodologies to master the airwaves, yet the physical
> transmitter/receiver would be located elsewhere. I'll bet
> many hams would
> love to be
> able to experience propagation and competition from another
> portion of the
> world... Let the "black hole"
> ops try out the east coast, etc.
>
> All this said, I am assuming that this will not become a
> large part of what we call ham radio or
> contesting today. However, you'll can find lots of
> examples of real hams
> doing remote control today --
> and I'm sure they would disagree with you that what they are
> doing is not the same "ham radio" that you got your ticket for.
>
> To each his own.
>
> 73,
>
> Gerry, W1VE/VE1RM
> Examine contest competition in real-time - post and see
> scores at http://www.getscores.org !
Hi Gerry, thanks for the reply.
My question is: How much of your proposal DOES pertain to radio?
This idea merely extends the wires that go from the guts of the rig to the
control panel using the Internet, like putting a IC-706 in the trunk and
using a cable to place the controls on the dashboard; albeit a substantially
greater distance. It ultimately requires the reliance on wires and external
systems to provide that link; a distinctly retrograde position.
I have worked guys who are using their VHF/UHF radios to interface with
their HF radios. This is a neat piece of kit and endorses the technological
advances made in that it connects two radios using RF in order to facilitate
communications although it's not foolproof. I have less of a problem with
this type of remote operation but it's a far cry from what you are
advocating.
I live in an urban environment surrounded by power lines, houses and
buildings. I'm surprised I do as well as I do from here. Sure, I'd like to
have a nice, quiet rural location and one day I may but, until then and even
then, my transmissions and reception will occur "here" and not in some
far-flung region of the planet just so I can hear stuff "from there". The
whole idea is to hear stuff "from here". For that matter, I can call someone
in Australia on the phone, have him hook me up to his phone patch (remember
them?) and let me work the world from there. This is, in essence, what is
being proposed, is it not? That is not true radio so how do you figure the
Internet is any different simply because you can control the rig function as
well? It doesn't alter the fact that the radio is not truly at your command
should a problem arise. No remote operation can ensure that.
Your QRZ blurb states:
"Although I've probably done most things in my career as a ham, the most
consistant activity has been contest operating. I love contests, especially
CW DX and SS. I've never had a super station at home, but I've had the
privledge of operating from some of the best in the world: VE1DXA(@VE1YX),
VE9DH, VE1ASJ, KY1H/K1TTT, K1ZZ, W2SZ/1, and many others. In the mid-80s I
was part of DXpeditions to Sable (CY0) and St. Paul (CY9) Islands as CY0SAB
and CY9SPI. In addition, I put in a single-op stint as VP2M/VE1RM."
Would it have been as noteworthy if these had been remote stations and you
operated them from a comfy chair in your home? Personally, I think a part of
the magic that is the Amateur Radio hobby is hauling your ass out of the
chair every now and then, going to one of these exotic locales, setting up
your gear and making contacts while actually being there to experience the
local life beyond just operating the radio. I haven't had the fortune to do
it yet but one day I hope to go on a DXpedition or operate from an exotic
location. Talk to Ramon XE1KK who is endeavouring to do a walking DXCC. Your
way, all he has to do is surf the 'Net. Where's the adventure in that and
where is the incentive for me to work you if you call yourself P51AA or
VK0AA when I know you're actually sitting in New Hampshire? All that boils
down to is a phony counter for DXCC and all I made contact with was an
illusion.
To paraphrase a line in Jurassic Park: Just because we could do something
doesn't mean we should do it. In my opinion, it just cheapens the hobby even
further.
I certainly hope that this does not become the norm for the hobby. If it
comes down to trying to bust pileups or contesting against guys with remote
stations dotting the globe, then my gear will be for sale and I'll buy a new
motorcycle.
Like you said, to each his own.
73 -- Paul VO1HE
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|