[CQ-Contest] Are contesters self-policing?

[Ron Notarius WN3VAW]

Dave,

You bring up an interesting dilemna.

First, yes, while amateurs are for the most part self-policing (can't wait
for my next Popkin-gram, I know a young stamp collector who loves his
envelopes), the alleged freeband activity is taking place outside of
allocated amateur frequencies.  So I'm not sure if we should be doing
anything about the actual FB operation itself, so long as it does not use
amateur call signs (and from what I saw on that web site, I don't think it
will).  And this is by no means meant to condone illegal operation!  But if
it's outside the ham bands, it's (to my thinking) outside of our
"jurisdiction."

Second, having said this, I am saddened that one or more of the amateurs is
involved in this type of operation.  And that the other operators are
condoning it (have to be since the equipment listed for the "sugar delta" op
is some of the same amateur gear for the CY0MM DXpedition).

Third, should the actual "sugar delta" part of the operation take place, the
operators will have (in my mind) placed themselves in a poor light with
Industry Canada, and by extension cast the same poor light on the rest of
us.  So we should make our displeasure with this part of the operation known
to the CY0MM folks to discourage future actions of this type -- but NOT on
the air.

Fourth, if this should jeopardize the CY0MM license, it may also jeopardize
the DXCC acceptance of that operation.  Another reason to make our
displeasure known.

Finally... if you hear them during the contest, work 'em.  If they get DQ'd
by the CQ WW committee over this, it will happen after the fact.  That will
be their problem, not ours.

73, ron wn3vaw

'If tin whistles are made of tin, what do they make fog horns out of?'
-- from "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?"
Lonnie Donegan, SK, 4 November 2002

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave" <VE2ZP at rac.ca>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>,
   "Contest - Canadian Reflector" <canada_contest at NARC.NET>,
   "VE3 Contest Reflector" <ve3_contest at yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:50:23 -0500
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Are contesters self-policing?

One of the alleged virtues of Amateur Radio is that we are
self-policing.  I have an actual, living, breathing moral
dilemma to pose to contesters in the run-up to the CQ WW CW
contest.

I'm sure we are all pleased to know that there will be a
multi-op on contest-rare Sable Island during the CQ WW CW
this coming weekend.  You can learn more about CY0MM by
visiting their web site, www.dipole.com .

However, you may not be aware of one aspect of this
expedition.  You can find out more at
http://www.sugardelta.com/277sd0/index.html .

My inclination is to consider this combination injurious to
the reputation of this hobby with the radio regulatory
authorities in Canada, who licensed CY0MM.

Where, if anywhere, does self-policing fit in this
situation?  If this is an appropriate circumstance for
self-policing, what form should it take?

Dave VE2ZP


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