That doesn't mean that the CAC under WC1M's leadership didn't do an
exemplary job of thinking through the implications and coming up with
solid, serviceable language for use in contest rules.
All that means is that CAC suggested rules to codify the pre-ordained
policy. There was no "debate" or consideration of any position other
than the one that said "Skimmer is evil because it encroaches on some
sacred skill set". Never before - voice keyers, logging software,
SCP, memory keyers, etc. - has that position been written into contest
rules but then that's history. Maybe it will be reviewed and rectified
once certain fossils are buried.
If we want to talk about rules that should be changed, how about the
absurd lumping of assisted stations with multi-singles in the ARRL
10M and 160M contests.
There are a lot of other anachronisms in contest rules. The lack of
"assisted" categories in ARRL 160 and 10 M contests is just another
case of "it's never been done that way" and your skimmer rule only
contributes to the problem. Use help from another person (inside or
outside the station) and you are "multi-op" ... use technology and
you are a single op .... use a receiver, transmitter or antennas
outside the prescribed "circle" and you are cheating. I don't see
what's so difficult about the concept - instead contest rules make
all kinds of contortions to allow those things that benefit the
insiders and restrict or punish the things that they dislike or
fear.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 12/1/2012 9:49 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
But Joe, we've all known for years that you didn't like the way the
Skimmer debate came out. That doesn't mean that the CAC under WC1M's
leadership didn't do an exemplary job of thinking through the
implications and coming up with solid, serviceable language for use in
contest rules. I'm not suggesting that the Board and HQ staff weren't
involved, but Dick and his colleagues did a fine job under (ahem)
somewhat overheated circumstances.
If we want to talk about rules that should be changed, how about the
absurd lumping of assisted stations with multi-singles in the ARRL 10M
and 160M contests. I recently received a certificate proclaiming me
"Division Winner" in the 2011 ARRL 160 contest, in the Low Power
Multi-Single class. For what? 20,000 points and maybe 3 hours'
operating. I'm sure not going to put that one up on my wall.
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
On 12/1/2012 9:36 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> Respectfully, I don't think this is anywhere close to right.
I disagree with you ... the Advisory Committees have no independent
advisory role and have generally not been permitted to gather and
evaluate input on topics other than the narrow issues assigned by
the staff. They have become an "echo chamber" for the preconceived
positions of the staff and insiders.
For example, the CAC did an exemplary job of developing a League
position on where Skimmer techn0ology fit in its contests.
A prime example of an Advisory Committee rubber stamping the position
of the staff and insiders. Relegating skimmers entirely within one's
own station (I'm not talking about remote receiver skimmers or RBN) to
an "assisted" class was preordained. It ignores the historical embrace
of technological innovation and is the first/only case that technology
(software or hardware that does not use input from a person other than
the station operator) has been singled out for special treatment.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 12/1/2012 9:10 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
Respectfully, I don't think this is anywhere close to right. For
example, the CAC did an exemplary job of developing a League position on
where Skimmer techn0ology fit in its contests. A lot depends on the CAC
chairman at any given time, and on getting the ARRL Board to give the
CAC the right tasks to do.
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
On 12/1/2012 8:09 AM, Greg Chartrand wrote:
It doesn't make any sense, and its not intended to.
I've given up with the league. My experience has been that the
"advisory" boards have virtually no influence on decisions that are
made about contests or anything for that matter. That's why I stopped
contributing to this "private club".
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Thanks for the comments Ron. For some reason I just can't think of how
in a 160 meter international contest that if you work KH6 you get no
additional multiplier for working Guam, Wake Island, Swains, American
Samoa, Midway, Johnson, Kingman Reef, Kure Island! These are all
separate entities over at the so call ARRL DXCC Desk but apparently not
at the "Contest Desk".
How does this make any sense?
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