[CQ-Contest] Case Study: Finding the definition [was: Little old ladies changing tires]

[Ev Tupis]

Of course, each sponsor has their own rules, definitions and interpretations.  For this study, I will refer to the ARRL system since they did an excellent job of publishing their rules in searchable format.

----- Original Message ----
From: Ron Notarius W3WN wn3vaw at verizon.net


Why is "assistance" undefined?  Is it?
---------------------------

I can't answer the first question, but the answer to the second is embedded in knowing the difference between having a term appear in the rules and having that term defined.  I would point out that several words fit the pattern of "reference without definition." ("spotting" and "Awards Committee" are two) - but let's leave those to other threads for now <smile>.

Use your web-browser's "Edit|Search" function to find "assist" as a stand-alone term or fragment (such as assisting, assisted, etc.)

"General Rules for All ARRL Contests" http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-all.html

"General Rules for HF Contsts"
http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-hf.html

"HF Contesting - Good practices, Interpretations..."
http://www.arrl.org/contests/hf-faq.html

The term/fragment "assist" will be found seven times in these three documents.  In no case is the term defined, though it is either referenced or alluded to ambiguously.

Of course, ambiguity is minimized if a definition can answer the questions "Who?", "What?", "Where?", "When?, "How?" and take strategies that allow for public input prior to, during and after adjudication.  When one or more of these clarifying parameters is omitted, we humans tend to ask them anyway (hence these on-list threads), and endlessly. :)

Ev, W2EV


 
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