Ev, Sorry to have pestered everyone on this topic.
I am re-visiting this issue now that you had some success with this "New
Concept".
February 2003, Dan N1ND (ARRL) said:
"
Although this might be a "new" concept in V/UHF
contesting, it doesn't seem contrary to the rules. In
view of this interpretation, it appears to that
Beacon net does not violate any contest rules, and
therefore the use of BEACONet is permissible.
"
What is or is not contrary? I attached Dan's entire email for everyone to
review if they like.
I am attempting to get an answer from Dan or other ARRL people on the
Digital topic. So far they have only approved Beacon net without
understanding that even Beacon net can be operated Illegally by the operator
of the TNC (setting up Digi's manually for example). We can not even use a
program like Pac term (dumb terminal program) because of the lack of
definition of how a digital mode may be used with in that application.
There is much confusion at the ARRL and even more out on the air. I was told
last September that non-digital modes (Except CW) were NOT permitted in the
VHF-UHF contests. They are permitted in other contests. Last December,
before Beacon net was approved, I attempted to get a number of applications
approved and received several e-mails from Dan explaining why they were not.
I made several attempts to get the ARRL to make a statement about the issue.
They seem to want to stay off the subject because it is complicated. Hence
my e-mails to the vhf list. We are now a month away from the next contest.
Right now I can't even use Pac term and Beacon net does not support JT44.
Everyone seems to have a misunderstanding about what you did. First everyone
needs to understand the Layers, non-standard compared to the ISO model but I
might suggest a simple view:
Layer 1 transport - FM / ssb / other
Layer 2 protocol - AX25 / PSK31 / JT44 / others
Layer 3 Application - Beacon net / Hyper term / WSJT / etc
Layer 4 the HAM - KE3HT / others (This is where most rules violations
occur)
Basically, rules adherence wise, all you did was make your program run
without a a grid or other location information did you not? The AX25 part is
the same as used by any other application is not configured with
digipeteing. Why can't I use a different application with AX25? The ARRL has
not approved it nor explained the terms with which they permitted Beacon
net.
The issue of self spotting seems to be a vague problem as well. Calling CQ
on CW or SSB with a GRID or lat/long appears to be accepted, everyone does
it. Yet it appears to be illegal to use an automated calling system like an
AX25 program with the GRID, it is then called self spotting. I am not so
concerned with this part since I don't need to CQ with my grid or lat/long.
WSJT can be configured by not using the standard CQ text and omit the GRID.
But if its in the rules we should obey it.
I have the hope of being able to convince others to use JT44 or PSK31 but
the argument I get most of the time is that they don't want the computers
but most often they say the ARRL does not allow it.
Tim Ertl (KE3HT/r Pennsylvania)
ke3ht@lmrgroup.com
Rover: http://www.lmrgroup.com/ke3ht/rover
Sept 2002 contest: http://www.lmrgroup.com/ke3ht/rover/sep2002
-------------- next part --------------
To: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 08:48:45 -0500
From: "Henderson, Dan N1ND" <dhenderson@arrl.org>
Subject: [VHFcontesting] Further statement on BeacoNet
Please forward to any reflector as you deem
appropriate:
After additional review and conversation The ARRL has
come to believe that BEACONet is similar to an
automated CQing system. It facilitates the
solicitation of contacts. It uses a band that is
usable in the particular contest, and QSOs are made on
such radios. It uses a mode that is acceptable for
contacts in the particular contest. BEACONet seems to
comply with the letter and spirit of the contest
rules.
Although this might be a "new" concept in V/UHF
contesting, it doesn't seem contrary to the rules. In
view of this interpretation, it appears to that
BEACONet does not violate any contest rules, and
therefore the use of BEACONet is permissible.
If you have questions regarding this rules
interpretation, please contact me at n1nd@arrl.org
Thanks and 73
Dan Henderson, N1ND
ARRL Contest Branch Manager
|