[CQ-Contest] WheeRU: Sheesh!

[K9TM]

Hopefully this is read as it was intended, a statement (summary) of facts
and an actionable alternative.

>From: "Gerry Hull" <windev at inetmarket.com>

> Let the contest sponsors deceide what is the proper usage....
They already have and they declare it to be illegal based on the current
rules:  (summary below)

-----
ARRL: (General Rules for contests)
3.10. The use of non-Amateur Radio means of communication (for example,
Internet or telephone) to solicit a contact (or contacts) during the contest
period is not permitted.

3.14. In contests where packet or spotting nets are allowed, spotting your
own station or requesting another station to spot you is not permitted.

---
NCJ: (NAQP Rules and Sprint Rules)
3. Entry Classification: Single operator only. Use of helpers or spotting
nets is not permitted. (Sprint)

5. Entry Classification: (NAQP Rules)
    a. Single Operator:
        i. One person performs all transmitting, receiving, spotting and
logging functions as well as equipment and antenna             adjustments.
        ii. Use of helpers or spotting nets is not permitted.
---
CQWW: (rules from web site)
III Type of competition
A. Single Operator Categories:
Single band or all band; only one signal allowed at any one time; the
operator can change bands at any time.

1. Single Operator High: Those stations at which one person performs all of
the operating, logging, and spotting functions. The use of DX alerting
assistance of any kind places the station in the Single Operator Assisted
category.
2. Single Operator Low: Same as III A 1 except that the output power shall
not exceed 100 watts
(see rule XI. 11).
3. QRPp: Same as III A 1, except that the power output must not exceed 5
watts (see rule XI.11).

B. Single Operator Assisted:
Same as III A 1 except the passive (self- spotting not allowed) use of DX
spotting nets is allowed.
-----

What is WhereRU?
It is a client-server program (simulates a net) which uses the Internet to
tell others where you are (freq, band, rate, etc) [aka self-spotting,
soliciting QSOs].

Seems obvious that it violates ARRL rules 3.10 and 3.14, NCJ rules and CQWW
rule III B. (SELF- SPOTTING NOT ALLOWED).

I don't think you will see sponsors write rules that say "No use of
WhereRU".  Why?  Because someone would rename it to HereIAm and claim they
weren't using WhereRU and therefore are legal.  The rules prohibit the use
of this general class of item already. (even the name gives it away WhereRU,
spotting...self-spotting)

Even without the exact freq (just band/mode) it gives away enough info that
someone can more easily find you.  I think this would/should still be
considered self-spotting.

******* (Possible actionable alternative?)
Perhaps if it gave total # of QSO's, total # of mults and score, it would
still serve the purpose and yet not be illegal (no talk function, etc.)?
Call it Realtime3830, WattsUrScore, HwUDoin, 3830Live... (just a few thought
provokers)  Note that it could not contain band breakdowns as this would
tell you in pseudo real-time where someone was.
*******

> WhereRU has'nt been used for beat the competition, YET.
This seems to say that someone feels that some competitive advantage can be
gained by the use of the program.  Thus it is not just a spectator
(non-competitor) program (asserted in earlier note).

> Yes, let's innovate and build new applications....
Sure, but it has to be within the rules.


The problem for the sponsor, yet again, becomes enforcement (unless you
admit to use).

Maybe someone will write a WhereRU crawler to go around the web and see who
is using it during a contest (great another hit on the firewall :-)  )?

73 Tim K9TM


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