> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ken Widelitz
> Sent: December 3, 2006 20:58
> To: Tree; cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Random acts of kindness, Unassisted
> Categories, Rules,etc.
>
> How many times have you called or read a 3830 posting in
> which the story is related about calling "CQ, looking
> especially for North Dakota" only to have a North Dakota (or
> whoever you are looking for) come back? It does happen
> occasionally. Those times are "highlight" times, one of the
> things you contest for. It makes you pump your fist and let
> out a "YEAH, BABY!"
>
> I know in SS Phone two weeks ago, I was VY2TT and on the 2nd
> radio heard a station comment, "I just need Maritime for a
> sweep." It was a highlight for me to hear that, call the
> station and give him his sweep. Yes, it does happen.
>
> OTOH, on Sunday afternoon, needing one section for the sweep,
> I have programmed my CQ message to indicate the need. I admit
> to hoping that if a station in that section doesn't happen
> by, I might be the beneficiary of a "random act of kindness."
> And yes, that has happened. And yes, I have acted on it. And
> yes, I have submitted my log as "unassisted" or not as
> "unlimited." That is part of the "buzz" of the Sweepstakes contest.
>
> And, BECAUSE THAT IS CLEARLY ALLOWED BY THE RULES. If I
> haven't used packet, if I don't have another operator in the
> shack, if I haven't solicited the QSO by non amateur means
> DURING THE CONTEST, I AM A SINGLE OPERATOR!!!
>
> I have never done this, but if I set up a schedule for a
> specific time and specific frequency by telephone BEFORE the
> contest with a VY1, VO1 and W0 in ND and worked them per the
> sked, I would still be a single operator UNASSISTED according
> to the ARRL Sweepstakes rules. If you want to get the rules
> changed, fine. If you want to play by your own, more limiting
> set of rules, fine. But the rules are what they are and as
> they stand, in Sweepstakes, you can act on "random acts of
> kindness." You can make telephone skeds before the contest.
> And you are still considered single op unassisted.
>
> Would I ever send "CQ, looking for Tristan Da Cunha" in CQWW?
> Of course not.
> It is not part of the buzz of that contest. But if I did and
> got a "random act of kindness" and acted on it, according to
> the rules I would still be unassisted.
>
> Anyone can change their SS CQ message to indicate a need and
> hope for a "random act of kindness." Since anyone can do it,
> how can it be said to be unfair? If your own personal ethics
> prohibit your doing this, that is your own personal
> interpretation of the rules. That doesn't make it unfair.
> Obviously, I have no problem with this. OTOH, I once needed a
> section for a sweep with an hour to go in SS and decided I
> wanted the sweep cup more than I wanted to enter the "B"
> category. I turned on packet, found the section spotted, made
> the sweep and entered my log as Unlimited. And I won the
> Unlimited category that year. And I have no problem with that
> result either.
>
> Flame suit on and I don't care.
>
> 73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT
Yep, part of the fun of SS for me is trolling the bands looking for someone
looking for a VO for the sweep. I got no problem with that and I try to make
the contact whenever I hear it.
I would have a problem if the phone rang and it turned out to be someone
asking me to get on 14.xxx at yyyy UTC to make a contact or someone posting
a self spot on the cluster asking for a VO to call on 14.xxx to make the
contact. That, I would not respond to.
73 -- Paul VO1HE
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