Remote stations are a complex issue and as Tree says, obviously, a game
changer. That said, the further you get into it, the worse it gets. We
know stations are obviously using very distant remote sites for DXCC
purposes (as witnessed with EP6T, and others). No doubt there will be EU
stations using NA remotes for K1N (if the control operators permit). I
think many, if not most of us believe this is out and out cheating. Clearly
there needs to be a category for remote operation, maybe of any kind. Of
course, getting people to report it that way is another matter. However, in
the case of our beloved SP contest, if a remote station 100 km was used for
example just for receive and it is in a different grid, which grid square
would one report? It's a sticky wicket any way you figure it.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tree" <tree@kkn.net>
To: "Tom Haavisto" <kamham69@gmail.com>
Cc: "Niko Cimbur" <ac6dd@yahoo.com>; "TopBand List"
<topband@contesting.com>; "Guy Olinger K2AV" <k2av.guy@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: CQWW160 Remote receiver rule
This is certainly a complex issue. I see two worlds colliding here:
160 meter DXing - and Radiosporting.
I have myself seriously considered using a remote receiving location
to get rid of local noise. I had a severe QRN issue with 500KV power
lines when I first appeared on the band in Oregon back in 1985. When
it was wet outside - my S-meter was sitting around S9+40 db when on AM
mode.
However, Tom's point about enabling full duplex operation is a game
changer from a radio sporting perspective.
Some stations have enough real estate to implement full duplex for
contest operation (including mine) and it is a significant competitive
advantage. Certainly - implementing a remote station for RX purposes
that is not too far away (< 100 miles) can achieve similar results. I
guess the question is - should having enough acreage to implement full
duplex operation be considered the same as using a remote receiver for
radios porting purposes? This is obviously one of those gray area
issues - where your perspective will have a lot to do with your
feelings on the subject. Part of the process of hashing this out is
the discussion in places like this mail list.
The Stew Perry contest enjoys a certain amount of freedom as it is
administered by a small group of people (about two) - and isn't
considered a "serious" contest. More like a pleasant operating event.
We have voted in this matter by allowing remote receivers as long as
they are within 100 km of your transmit location. This enabled at
least one Southern Hemisphere station to take part in the event and
felt like the right thing to do.
However, I can see that the answer might be different for the CQ 160
contest - or even in the CQ WW contest. These are more serious
sporting events.
Tree N6TR
On Thu, Jan 29, 2015 at 8:14 AM, Tom Haavisto <kamham69@gmail.com> wrote:
So one can use their favorite SDR remote to enjoy the contest, and you
can
submit the score it to 3830. The downside is that the contest sponsor
does
not have a contest class that accepts the remote RX arrangement.
The real issue is to persuade the contest organizers to allow that in
some
contest class. Good luck on that. Organizers have always been WAY behind
the technological possibilities, most likely because certain
advancements
give such a large advantage to someone who is able to construct them. On
160 meters, the MAJORITY of contest entrants would describe their
location
as noisy.
73, Guy.
I would urge caution before we start asking contest sponsors to allow
remote RX sites. There are some lucky folks where noise is not a huge
issue. Consider what I could do with a remote RX site - aways from the
TX
hash, essentially being able to run full duplex. To me, this is a pretty
serious game changer. I do understand the advantages, and how it could
help someone who lives in a noisy location. But - be careful of granting
an advantage to folks who are blessed without that issue.
Tom - VE3CX
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