I guess I am a luddite...albeit hypocritical. I am in no hurry to see a
rush to remote operation...I'd much rather work a station knowing,
imagining, their circumstances; be it on a palm tree covered island or a
wind swept mountain top... Its the real deal. Sorry, no matter how you
slice it, remote operation is somewhat disingenuous to the 'sport' of
radio. I have had first class folks remote into my station who wanted to
put YT on the air when I was either not available or interested. Does that
make the contact less significant or worthwhile? I don't know...it depends
on perspective i guess. Contests are an outlier as any contester is happy
to get a mult for the sake of a contest regardless of who provides it...
I think all of this has more to do with our sense of radio. I am a bit of
a romantic in that sense; I feel working a genuine boots on the ground
person is far more authentic than some guy running a far flung station from
a condo in Florida. Sorry, it is just not the same thing--at all.
HNY all
Scott
Living and operating in YT ;)
On Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 10:06 AM <cq-contest-request@contesting.com> wrote:
> Send CQ-Contest mailing list submissions to
> cq-contest@contesting.com
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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>
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>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of CQ-Contest digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Expeditions Remote (Joseph Giasi)
> 2. Re: CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 277, Issue 9 (Drew Vonada-Smith)
> 3. Fwd: Expeditions remote (Jeff Clarke)
> 4. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger) (Edward Sawyer)
> 5. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (Chris Tate - N6WM)
> 6. Re: Writelog Prefil Files Update (VE5CPU)
> 7. Whither amateur radio? (ktfrog007@aol.com)
> 8. Re: CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 277, Issue 9 (David Gilbert)
> 9. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger) (robert beaudoin)
> 10. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (Doug Renwick)
> 11. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (Jim Brown)
> 12. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (jimk8mr@aol.com)
> 13. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger) (Jim Brown)
> 14. Re: Expeditions remote (jpescatore@aol.com)
> 15. Re: Fwd: Expeditions Remote (Paul O'Kane)
> 16. Re: Fwd: Expeditions remote (Chris Tate - N6WM)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 11:35:23 -0500
> From: Joseph Giasi <jpgw2qq@gmail.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Expeditions Remote
> Message-ID: <90d70e10-ec6c-42df-9a7a-dbb5d4fbb2b5@gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> As a homeowner in an antenna-restricted community, I have to say "Thank
> heavens that the luddites are not making the rules!" The only way that I
> can now participate in amateur radio is via an internet connection to a
> remote station. From there, all contacts are over the air and the
> stations that I use are fully compliant with contest rules. It isn't
> cheap, by any means, (a few hours in a weekend contest can cost several
> hundred dollars), but at least I can get on the air and hand out some
> QSOs to other contesters. If you think that my remote operating is not
> "real amateur radio", you are free not to work me and not get the QSO in
> your logbook.
>
> 73, Joe - W2QQ
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 17:14:21 +0000
> From: Drew Vonada-Smith <drew@whisperingwoods.org>
> To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 277, Issue 9
> Message-ID:
> <
> LV9PR18MB92763765A840819B864BE3CBADC882A@LV9PR18MB927637.namprd18.prod.outlook.com
> >
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Let's not call Paul a troll. He's got an opinion and point of view I have
> much sympathy with. He repeats it because he believes in it. You don't
> have to, but you should at least tolerate it. It's true that these things
> (remote, internet, etc) are part of radio life now and that won't change.
> I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion or what you do in the hobby. But
> the opinion is perfectly legitimate, and we most definitely have lost
> something, along of course with some gains. We'll all disagree on the
> measures of each.
>
> For those of you that don't agree with my opinion, that's of course
> perfectly fine and expected. For those of you that don't even understand
> it, please consider reading "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
> Pirsig says it better than I ever could.
>
> 73, Drew K3PA
>
>
> ****************************
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 12:44:46 -0500
> From: Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com>
> To: "CQ-Contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID: <2c76dd48-3d7c-4304-ba11-7c9363502456@ku8e.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>
> ?Why are we talking about DXpeditions and RIB's on a contesting mailing
> list? Remote contesting has been going on for awhile. Some do it 100%
> and others hybrid. (some remote operators/ others on site) Look at 3830.
> Just about every contest someone is remote. K4BAI and I did it during
> COVID to still be able to put PJ4 on the air. I've also operated
> remotely to WW4LL for many years. Recently I've done some contests
> operating remotely to K1TTT.? If you look some active stations like
> PJ2T, K1LZ, NJ4P, ZF5T etc... have some of their operators operate
> remotely.
>
> Personally I find operating remotely to be very convenient. I can sleep
> in my own bed and eat my own food. Plus it takes a burden off the host
> so they don't have to plan all this stuff in addition to getting ready
> for the contest.
>
> Jeff KU8E
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 18:11:01 +0000
> From: Edward Sawyer <EdwardS@advanced-conversion.com>
> To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger)
> Message-ID:
> <
> CO1PR06MB812248B7F80CF43B553F8F9FEC82A@CO1PR06MB8122.namprd06.prod.outlook.com
> >
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> The comment was made that "it's a dieing hobby". Actually - its not.
> Contesting is on a steady 10 year growth curve which is great to see.
> Hopefully it holds this new level as the sunspots start dropping.
>
> DXpeditions are producing incredible QSO numbers. Far more than most
> Dxpeditions in the old days. Unfortunately, in most (almost all) cases the
> FT8 content is 70 - 90% of those numbers. Its probably growing in QSO
> participation but severely going down in SSB side and not going up in the
> CW side. If you happen to need a Q on 6, 80 or 160 that isn't FT8, you can
> pretty much forget about it. Computer to computer DXing is thriving.
> Human modes are in fact dieing.
>
> I personally have all but walked away from DXing and it has been very sad
> for me. But the Contesting is thriving and I am enjoying that focus even
> more.
>
> Ed N1UR
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 10:26:46 -0800
> From: Chris Tate - N6WM <chris.tate@gmail.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID:
> <CAJqf+jdq9MPewJoQfuubSkm8q=
> kK7Xg6TH8fLhBKM6b8ze1n8A@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> > I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I also have risked my life,
> > to go on grand adventure DXpeditions.
>
>
> Now, I think remote activation of rare entities is fine. However I think
> its misleading to promote it the way this one is being promoted.. its
> should be promoted for what it is.
>
> Involvement on boots on ground Island expeditions has risk. The operators
> that incur that risk, willingly to put qsos in your log deserve
> recognition in that regard. This makes them worthy of envy and admiration.
>
> But doing this social media blitz including individual operator bios as if
> they are radio heroes that will operate this expedition from their computer
> is a very silly IMH. seriously. come one. Most of us that went on real
> boots on ground expeditions may of had a website, but never did this
> silliness. Promoting these ops like they are expedition heroes is a bit
> (alot) of a stretch.
>
> Its ok to do remote expeditions. but these operators are not the
> adventurers that physically went to these entities to make them happen for
> the community.. so it would be best to be a bit more grounded about this
> whole remote deal.
>
> Just my 2 cents.
>
> ~Chris
> N6WM
> boots on island at VP6D 2018 TX5S 2024
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 19:07:42 -0600
> From: VE5CPU <ve5cpu@sasktel.net>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com, writelog@groups.io
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Writelog Prefil Files Update
> Message-ID: <4ED241CE-4C9D-404F-ACF0-FEBB06BDC55E@sasktel.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Good day all
>
> It was reported that the NA_QSOP_PH-CW-RTTY_Jan_05_26.adi was busted. I
> have fixed the file and it was reposted as of 01:00 UTC on Jan 10.
>
> My apologies for the issue and thanks to Mike KD7ND/KH7X for advising me
> of this issue.
>
> 73, Bart - VE5CPU
>
>
> > On Jan 5, 2026, at 6:02?PM, VE5CPU <ve5cpu@sasktel.net> wrote:
> >
> > ?Good day everyone
> >
> > For those of you using Prefill files with Writelog there are 5 updates
> published today.
> >
> > Updated files:
> > ARRL Rookie RU Jan_05_2026.adi
> > CWT_Jan_05_2026.adi
> > MST_CW_Jan_05_2026.adi
> > NA_QSOP_PH-CW-RTTY_Jan_05_26.adi
> > SST_CW_Jan_05_2026.adi
> >
> > 73, Bart - VE5CPU
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 02:02:13 +0000 (UTC)
> From: "ktfrog007@aol.com" <ktfrog007@aol.com>
> To: cq-contest <cq-contest@contesting.com>, Paul O'Kane
> <pokane@ei5di.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Whither amateur radio?
> Message-ID: <251444411.4821610.1768010533541@mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> >From reading all the recent emails about remote operating, it seems the
> real issue is what ham radio should be today, in 2026. If amateur radio
> survives, it will be because private non-commercial radio communication is
> still intriguing with new frontiers to explore. Modern communications are
> mostly digital involving networks of various systems, so it seems
> reasonable that amateurs will be be involved that way, too. As long as
> radio amateurs use radio as one of the links, they will be upholding their
> tradition.
>
> 73,
> Ken, AB1J
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 15:13:50 -0700
> From: David Gilbert <ab7echo@gmail.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 277, Issue 9
> Message-ID: <41437df4-3b0f-4ac4-aa94-1a036e18c0af@gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>
> I agree with most of that, but the problem with Paul is that he never
> just expresses an opinion ... he ALWAYS puts forth everything on this
> subject as an absolute statement of hard fact, and he does it at every
> opportunity.? It's pretty over the top.
>
> Dave? ?AB7E
>
>
>
> On 1/9/2026 10:14 AM, Drew Vonada-Smith wrote:
> > Let's not call Paul a troll. He's got an opinion and point of view I
> have much sympathy with. He repeats it because he believes in it. You
> don't have to, but you should at least tolerate it. It's true that these
> things (remote, internet, etc) are part of radio life now and that won't
> change. I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion or what you do in the
> hobby. But the opinion is perfectly legitimate, and we most definitely
> have lost something, along of course with some gains. We'll all disagree
> on the measures of each.
> >
> > For those of you that don't agree with my opinion, that's of course
> perfectly fine and expected. For those of you that don't even understand
> it, please consider reading "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".
> Pirsig says it better than I ever could.
> >
> > 73, Drew K3PA
> >
> >
> > ****************************
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 16:15:55 -0600
> From: robert beaudoin <wa1fcn@charter.net>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger)
> Message-ID: <c6c2a8c1-2b88-4b73-a015-71dfacdac216@charter.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>
> ? ? ? ? Hi Ed
>
> ? ? ? ? ? ? Say OM you forgot about RTTY. It's not going down it's
> almost dead !
>
> ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 73? BoB WA1FCN
>
> On 1/9/2026 12:11 PM, Edward Sawyer wrote:
> > The comment was made that "it's a dieing hobby". Actually - its not.
> Contesting is on a steady 10 year growth curve which is great to see.
> Hopefully it holds this new level as the sunspots start dropping.
> >
> > DXpeditions are producing incredible QSO numbers. Far more than most
> Dxpeditions in the old days. Unfortunately, in most (almost all) cases the
> FT8 content is 70 - 90% of those numbers. Its probably growing in QSO
> participation but severely going down in SSB side and not going up in the
> CW side. If you happen to need a Q on 6, 80 or 160 that isn't FT8, you can
> pretty much forget about it. Computer to computer DXing is thriving.
> Human modes are in fact dieing.
> >
> > I personally have all but walked away from DXing and it has been very
> sad for me. But the Contesting is thriving and I am enjoying that focus
> even more.
> >
> > Ed N1UR
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 16:43:24 -0600
> From: "Doug Renwick" <ve5ra@sasktel.net>
> To: "'Chris Tate - N6WM'" <chris.tate@gmail.com>,
> <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID: <03dd01dc81b9$5eb64a50$1c22def0$@sasktel.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> My friend Bob Allpine, K4UEE, is turning over in his grave.
> https://t-rexsoftware.com/k4uee/
>
> https://www.hamradioworld.org/post/veteran-dxpedition-leader-bob-allphin-k4u
> ee-sk
> <https://www.hamradioworld.org/post/veteran-dxpedition-leader-bob-allphin-k4uee-sk>
>
> Doug/VA5DX
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces+ve5ra=sasktel.net@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> Chris Tate - N6WM
> Sent: January 9, 2026 12:27 PM
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
>
> > I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I also have risked my life,
> > to go on grand adventure DXpeditions.
>
>
> Now, I think remote activation of rare entities is fine. However I think
> its misleading to promote it the way this one is being promoted.. its
> should be promoted for what it is.
>
> Involvement on boots on ground Island expeditions has risk. The operators
> that incur that risk, willingly to put qsos in your log deserve
> recognition in that regard. This makes them worthy of envy and admiration.
>
> But doing this social media blitz including individual operator bios as if
> they are radio heroes that will operate this expedition from their computer
> is a very silly IMH. seriously. come one. Most of us that went on real
> boots on ground expeditions may of had a website, but never did this
> silliness. Promoting these ops like they are expedition heroes is a bit
> (alot) of a stretch.
>
> Its ok to do remote expeditions. but these operators are not the
> adventurers that physically went to these entities to make them happen for
> the community.. so it would be best to be a bit more grounded about this
> whole remote deal.
>
> Just my 2 cents.
>
> ~Chris
> N6WM
> boots on island at VP6D 2018 TX5S 2024
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 15:04:54 -0800
> From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID:
> <d73d3294-e0b4-43df-984d-dd950798cddc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> On 1/9/2026 10:26 AM, Chris Tate - N6WM wrote:
> > But doing this social media blitz including individual operator bios as
> if
> > they are radio heroes that will operate this expedition from their
> computer
> > is a very silly IMH. seriously.
>
> I don't do social media, so was not aware of it. Yes, I agree. The guys
> who dragged that gear through rough seas to get Bouvet on the air were
> doing some heroic stuff!
>
> Much of the operation at N6RO has been remote since COVID. I have no
> interest in running remotely to there or anywhere else, simply because
> I've got my own station. But If I were to operate N6RO, it would be
> remote -- it's 3 hours each way to get there, without traffic!
>
> And W1VE has made a lot of contests a bit more fun by activating
> stations in rare western VE provinces.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:23:12 +0000 (UTC)
> From: "jimk8mr@aol.com" <jimk8mr@aol.com>
> To: "CQ-Contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID: <983739225.9460353.1768004592560@mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> I wonder why some far off rare countries don't set up remotely available
> ham stations, and then charge significant money to use them.?
> How much would you pay to remotely operate a station in North Korea?
>
> 73? -? Jim? ?K8MR
>
>
> On Friday, January 9, 2026 at 04:23:03 PM EST, Jeff Clarke <
> ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:
>
>
> ?Why are we talking about DXpeditions and RIB's on a contesting mailing
> list? Remote contesting has been going on for awhile. Some do it 100%
> and others hybrid. (some remote operators/ others on site) Look at 3830.
> Just about every contest someone is remote. K4BAI and I did it during
> COVID to still be able to put PJ4 on the air. I've also operated
> remotely to WW4LL for many years. Recently I've done some contests
> operating remotely to K1TTT.? If you look some active stations like
> PJ2T, K1LZ, NJ4P, ZF5T etc... have some of their operators operate
> remotely.
>
> Personally I find operating remotely to be very convenient. I can sleep
> in my own bed and eat my own food. Plus it takes a burden off the host
> so they don't have to plan all this stuff in addition to getting ready
> for the contest.
>
> Jeff KU8E
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 23:49:41 -0800
> From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote (John Geiger)
> Message-ID:
> <c567cb2b-5af0-4b49-8b37-986b4419c1ec@audiosystemsgroup.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> On 1/9/2026 10:11 AM, Edward Sawyer wrote:
> > Computer to computer DXing is thriving.
>
> Hi Ed,
>
> Just as CW provides a 10 dB signal to noise advantage over SSB, FT8
> provides an additional 10 dB over CW with great ops on both ends.
>
> Noise levels on both ends of the QSO have grown exponentially in the
> past 20 years. When I moved to NorCal in 2006, with legal limit, a 100
> ft Tee with a lot of radials, and full wave Beverages in four
> directions, I could work the bigger EU stations on 160M a few nights a
> year during the winter. With those same antennas, I haven't heard a CW
> signal from EU in at least 4 years in the six years before that, I heard
> seven, and two heard me.
>
> During the last solar minima, I added about 25 EU countries using FT8.
> And I damn sure am going to count them. I built my station with help
> from neighbors with towers and antennas on towers, studied propagation.
> I also do a lot of weak signal work on VHF using WSJT modes for E-skip,
> F2, TE, meteor scatter, and tropospheric propagation.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 14
> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:14:36 +0000 (UTC)
> From: "jpescatore@aol.com" <jpescatore@aol.com>
> To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Expeditions remote
> Message-ID: <175365488.7243461.1768050876226@mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Only if I could remote back to US and work myself in the US when the
> contest was over....
>
> ?73 John K3TN >>> I wonder why some far off rare countries don't set up
> remotely available ham
> stations, and then charge significant money to use them.?
> How much would you pay to remotely operate a station in North Korea?
>
> 73? -? Jim? ?K8MR
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 15
> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:57:14 +0000
> From: Paul O'Kane <pokane@ei5di.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions Remote
> Message-ID: <e87cbc57-1f74-4543-af0d-4b3c86433f29@ei5di.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> On 09/01/2026 22:13, Dave AB7E wrote:
>
> > I agree with most of that, but the problem with Paul is that he never
> > just expresses an opinion ... he ALWAYS puts forth everything on this
> > subject as an absolute statement of hard fact, and he does it at every
> > opportunity.? It's pretty over the top.
>
> But the problem with Dave is that he is wilfully blind to hard facts,
> and he ignores opinions that don't correspond to his own. He would
> rather disparage me than address the issues, and he does this at every
> opportunity.? It's pretty discouraging, but I'll keep trying.
>
> For over ten years, Dave has yet to respond to any of the issues here -
> https://ei5di.com/remote.html
>
> He ALWAYS refuses to debate them.? All he does is "disagree", but will
> not say why.? All in all, he's pretty disagreeable.
>
> Of course, that's just my opinion :-)
>
> 73,
> Paul EI5DI
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 16
> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:43:12 -0800
> From: Chris Tate - N6WM <chris.tate@gmail.com>
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> Message-ID:
> <CAJqf+jduxBsJeeRC8Hh=uKR2W9V6eiM2nN+2LYgRw==
> fYUDpRw@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> *"Much of the operation at N6RO has been remote since COVID. I have no *
>
> *interest in running remotely to there or anywhere else, simply because
> I've got my own station. But If I were to operate N6RO, it would be
> remote -- it's 3 hours each way to get there, without traffic!
>
> And W1VE has made a lot of contests a bit more fun by activating
> stations in rare western VE provinces.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC"*
>
>
>
> Jim.. as you are aware as the current lead station coordinator, I was
> personally responsible for enabling all of the remotes at N6RO during covid
> and currently support our remote ops to this day but your statement on
> "much of the operating" is not the case at all. Most operations at RO are
> ON SITE because we have discovered we are more effective and produce better
> score with the team in house and on site! remote remains an option for a
> few with health issues, and minor cwt/NS contesting. Our NAQP
> operation this weekend is 100% on site.
>
> I'm hoping this thread is not an indictment of remote operating,
> particularly as I personally pioneered it as one of the first ever remote
> contest operators, as it has its place in contesting, and certain
> expedition scenarios. btw Gerry has done a lot more than activate Canadian
> provinces, and we welcome his work in Malawi and other places. In all cases
> enabling operators to be on the air when otherwise they may not be is good
> for us all.
>
> however
>
> My point is more of a characterisation and comparison of a remote
> dxpedition operator team vs an on site Dxpedition team and crew at a remote
> DX site. In fact I have issue characterizing a remote dxpedition operator
> as a "dxpeditioneer" at all. This reflects on the operation itself and I
> think what has most, justifiably a bit uptight about.
>
> Bouvet is a rough one, but most of them are in various ways. Many of these
> uninhabited islands, two of which I have operated from, and 2 others I have
> seen from a boat deck, including the Braveheart often have dangerous reefs,
> and other perils that need to be navigated by the expeditioneers and boat
> crews, along with hauling a small town's worth of equipment. Most have to
> experience it to understand. If we do a good job, the dx world thinks
> everything was easy and a tropical vacation hi hi. But its totally exciting
> to participate in! This takes a REAL and Present Dxpedition team.
>
> Putting a rare entity on the air is great. putting new expedition ops on
> the air is also fb but It takes a lot of skilled expeditioneers to
> successfully execute a major dxpedition and produce an excess of 100k
> qsos. and I guess we shall see how this all works out. I wish them the
> best. but please promote it appropriately.
>
> and of course you all, with the funding $$$ can decide if you want to
> support it by, or not by providing an OQRS contribution to get the card.
> That alone may define the future of remote expeditions.
>
> Back to net
>
> Chris
> N6WM
>
>
>
>
> > Yes, I agree. The guys
> > who dragged that gear through rough seas to get Bouvet on the air were
> > doing some heroic stuff!
> >
> > Much of the operation at N6RO has been remote since COVID. I have no
> > interest in running remotely to there or anywhere else, simply because
> > I've got my own station. But If I were to operate N6RO, it would be
> > remote -- it's 3 hours each way to get there, without traffic!
> >
> > And W1VE has made a lot of contests a bit more fun by activating
> > stations in rare western VE provinces.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: CQ-Contest
> > [mailto:cq-contest-bounces+ve5ra=sasktel.net@contesting.com] On Behalf
> Of
> > Chris Tate - N6WM
> > Sent: January 9, 2026 12:27 PM
> > To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Fwd: Expeditions remote
> >
> > > I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I also have risked my
> life,
> > > to go on grand adventure DXpeditions.
> >
> >
> > Now, I think remote activation of rare entities is fine. However I think
> > its misleading to promote it the way this one is being promoted.. its
> > should be promoted for what it is.
> >
> > Involvement on boots on ground Island expeditions has risk. The
> operators
> > that incur that risk, willingly to put qsos in your log deserve
> > recognition in that regard. This makes them worthy of envy and
> admiration.
> >
> > But doing this social media blitz including individual operator bios as
> if
> > they are radio heroes that will operate this expedition from their
> computer
> > is a very silly IMH. seriously. come one. Most of us that went on real
> > boots on ground expeditions may of had a website, but never did this
> > silliness. Promoting these ops like they are expedition heroes is a bit
> > (alot) of a stretch.
> >
> > Its ok to do remote expeditions. but these operators are not the
> > adventurers that physically went to these entities to make them happen
> for
> > the community.. so it would be best to be a bit more grounded about this
> > whole remote deal.
> >
> > Just my 2 cents.
> >
> > ~Chris
> > N6WM
> > boots on island at VP6D 2018 TX5S 2024
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
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>
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> ------------------------------
>
> End of CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 277, Issue 10
> *******************************************
>
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