[CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules

[w4ZW]

Florida is one of the leaders in CC&R's that in many cases actually restrict
"Amateur Radio" by name in the Covenants, not to mention the Homeowners
committees that become small zoning authorities unto themselves to insure
that no one tries to operate a ham radio in their association.  

I bought this home just because there were no homeowners associations or
restrictions.  I fought the CC&R's in my last three homes and was successful
because I made the erection of an antenna the condition for the sale and
even then, after the fact, the homeowners association attempted to cancel
the agreement with the developer.  Yes, remote site operation is here to
stay and I predict it will become a mainstay of ham operation for many here
in Florida.  Our club has had a remote station (actually two) in place for
almost two years now.  We even negotiated space on a 200' tower for antennas
and the homebound "seniors" and others who have deed restrictions absolutely
love it.  We are making a presentation this month to an "assisted living"
development promoting ham radio centering on the remote operation theme.
All you need is a mike/headset and a good computer.  As an old time CW guy,
I hate to see the demise of CW but I see many of our contesting stalwarts
become SK's every year and there are few replacements.  But I also am
encouraged by the possibility of getting new people into our hobby using
these new technologies.

I tried for several years to get new hams at my local high school.  I taught
the physics classes for one day each year on the principles of
electromagnetic radiation and used a ham radio demonstration in the final 20
minutes of each class and worked a lot of DX on a prearranged schedule.  I
had many students sign up for a meeting to explore ham radio.  After the
meeting, almost each one came back and reported that they couldn't have an
antenna in their neighborhood and their parents didn't want to antagonize
the neighbors.  

It is my opinion so far that operating a contest using remote control is
still fraught with handicaps.  Power outages, the normal "Murphy" incidents,
transmission glitches, etc.  So I don't see anyone becoming a looming
general threat to the "normal" contesting techniques, especially with the
latency problem with CW.

I still remember the cry and hue when the sidewinders showed up on the
bands.  Innovation and progress seem to have run up against our ages, but I
still count myself as one who favors progress even at the expense of my
beloved CW.

My 2 cents.

Jon Hamlet,  W4ZW
 
Casey Key Island, Florida
"A little piece of paradise in the Gulf of Mexico"