Let me explain a couple of things. First of all, everything I say on this
reflector is from me, not officially from the ARRL or from the ARRL Programs
and Services Committee members (PSC). I only offer this in the spirit of
transparency, and can only respond to my thoughts about what happened.
Second, there was no attempt on my part to slight the CQ contest rules team in the attempt to
explain what went down on this temporary ARRL rules waiver. I was trying to bring out a point that
I brought up to the group during the discussion: "CQ didn't make alterations to their rules,
therefore why do we need to?" So, current CQ rules were a consideration, but were deemed by
the committee to be not relevant in this case. I am reminded time after time that "ARRL
contest rules are for their contests, and CQ contest rules are for their contests. They don't
necessarily have to align." (Although I certainly wish they did...)
Third, as I understand, this did not go to the CAC for two reasons: Number one
was the very tight publishing deadline for getting the temporary change into
QST, considering the major ARRL contest (DX CW) that is coming up fast in
February. Number two: I repeat again that this change is temporary. If this
were to be a permanent rule change I'm sure it would have gone from the PSC to
the CAC as a tasking, and they could have mulled the pros and cons of it for as
long as they needed to. For better or worse, we needed a fast decision to meet
reason #1.
Finally, in my eyes, this was a recommendation that came from the Radiosport
staff at the ARRL itself, and was both written and vetted by them. BTW, those
are the same people that will have to deal with the backlash of the proposal,
and are responsible for figuring out how to adjudicate the contests with the
modified rules. If you have a question regarding implementation, they are your
answer source.
Is this rule waiver perfect? No, and that's been pointed out. If the ARRL
hadn't done anything people would have been lining around the block to complain
about it come contest time. We did something we thought would benefit all
participants of the contests during a troubling time, not only for the USA, but
for the rest of the world too. Still, the torches and pitchforks come out.
Now, ask me if I'll try to explain here anything the PSC does related to
contests again... ;-)
73;
Mike
W7VO
On 10/23/2020 3:24 PM Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
Doesn't it seem wrong to anyone at the ARRL for someone to send an
exchange,(for example) like "DC" if they live in MD, VA, DE, NJ, PA or
wherever? (I didn't get out the calipers to determine the exact 100km
circle, but you get my drift)
I applaud your efforts and your heart is in the right place attempting to
drum up business, but you should've really reached out to contesters and
your CAC to vet the new rules. I think they're slightly flawed. (and maybe
even illegal~!)
I have taken part in sanctioned distributed M/M's for a couple Canadian
contests and it was always with other VE9's..never with VE1's, VY2's,. VO1's
etc. That would just be dishonest.
Time to take a step back and examine what you did there.
Mike , VE9AA..always in NB (if sending a VE9 prefix)
p.s.- I am not against remote operating, where all the antennas and
transmitters are on one property. That's different.
Mike, Coreen & Corey
Keswick Ridge, NB
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