[CQ-Contest] SS Rules

[N7MAL]

I have received many replies both on/off the mailing list and there are 3 common threads all through the replies.

1. The definition of is is. I thought the world had moved on. Clearly and IMHO very clearly the rules says "the year you were first licensed." 'You' clearly being the station 'you' not the operator, 'you', because you are identifying with the station license not the operator license. i.e If you operate as N7MAL during the contest and submit your log as N7MAL, then you are N7MAL, your Check is 57 not 90.

2. What does it matter or what difference does it make what Check you send. It matters because it's a rule that says "the year you were first licensed." The rule doesn't say just come with up any 2 numbers and send it as your Check.

3. My Favorite: Everyone else is jumping off the bridge so I will to and so many are jumping off another bridge I'll use it to justify jumping this bridge. In other words guys make up names in Sprint, clearly against the rules, but it's OK, so not following the rules in SS is OK.

There were 3 replies that mentioned the dreaded 'D' word databases. Guys are changing their Check to defeat databases. Sweepstakes is a unique contest and it's unique because of the exchange. It's not 599 03 or 599 AZ. It's generally the preamble of a QTC(message). If you are using a data-base, for exchanges, you are violating the spirit, and the rules, of every ARRL contest. 

p.s. Don't look for me on that bridge, I won't be there.

MAL               N7MAL
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
http://www.ctaz.com/~suzyq/N7mal.htm
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: N7MAL 
  To: cq-contest at contesting.com 
  Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2004 6:23 PM
  Subject: [CQ-Contest] SS Rules


  Sweepstakes rule:
  4.4. Check (the last two digits of the year you were first licensed); 

  I worked a station, during ss phone, who I have known for many years. The station is an above average station and frequently has guest ops and even multi efforts. When the op sent the check it was 30+ years off. I didn't challenge it because they were doing a serious, very serious, effort and I was just giving out points.

  My question is: Are the rules really rules or just guidelines we can all bend and twist to suit our individual purposes?



  MAL               N7MAL
  BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
  http://www.ctaz.com/~suzyq/N7mal.htm
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