[CQ-Contest] Another gratuitous SS-CW trick

[Ken Widelitz]

True, the WRTC rule was there was no listening or transmitting prior to the
contest. No other contest of which I am aware currently has that rule. I
believe the purpose of that rule with regard to that specific contest within
a contest was to prevent anyone from getting a clue as to who was behind
which specially issued call. That is, the WRTC committee didn't want a
frequency occupied by S5/K6LA to turn into S518N at the start of the contest
thereby letting on who the operator at S518N was. In that context, such a
rule makes sense.

So until that becomes the rule in other contests, it is not appropriate to
compare populating a band map before the contest to listening during
off-times (which is clearly against the rules.)

There is nothing wrong with being in favor of or putting forth suggestions
to change the rules. I just don't think it does any good to chastise a
practice that is NOT against the rules.

My own personal opinion is that part of the fun of the contest is listening
before the contest to see what bands and paths are open, warming up a
frequency and saying hi to guys who are getting ready for the contest. I
would not be in favor of a rule change that prohibits such activity.

73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT