Great writeup by N4ZR. Skimmer looks like a very cool program. VE3NEA has
been really helpful, guiding me through some technical issues concerning Morse
Runner.
But, I am extremely concerned about the use of this program, and others similar
in function, in major contests. The implications from the thread regarding the
use of chat rooms in CQ 160 appear to be... The rules do not prohibit it, so
that means it is legal. If this is the prevailing logic in the contest
community then there is nothing to stop contesters from using CW skimmer in a
contest to copy the calls for us... the last time I checked, that sounds like
RTTY. Nothing against RTTY but it is different from a CW contest and it should
remain that way. Even if it is the logic by one contester that person has an
extreme advantage over all other competitors.
I turned in a good score in the sweepstakes but my accuracy won't be as good as
the other top scorers and I'll fall a few places. Should I stop trying to
improve my accuracy and just hook up CW skimmer for the next contest?
I have no problem with the program or its use in chasing DX, or rag chewing.
The problem lies in all of the gray areas concerning its use in contesting. Is
it legal or not? The current paradigm of thought by some says that it is
legal, because it isn't in the rules. But I just can't subscribe to that line
of thinking. There needs to be a rule along the lines of:
"All translation of Morse Code to English must be done by the operator without
assistance from outside sources."
Even if it is outlawed, people will still use decoding programs, just like they
still run 5 KW. But at least they won't be able to cop out and say, well it
doesn't say I can't do it.
73,
Kevin/N5DX
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