[CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules

[Paul J. Piercey]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Eric Hilding
> Sent: March 20, 2007 21:16
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules
> 
> (Also applies to When is a QSO not a QSO?)
> 
> HA!  I finally picked up my mail from the P.O. Box in town a 
> while ago, and had to chuckle when I saw an article in the 
> new April QST:
> 
> "Remote Control of the Amateur Station" (Sub-Titles - 
> "Operate Your Amateur Radio Station From Anywhere In The 
> World" -and- "Making use of available software and systems to 
> do the job."). 
> 
> So, if one does NOT have a "remote station" in the context of 
> what we've been discussing here, but rather a "home base 
> station" that the operator chooses to operate in a Contest 
> remotely while sitting in a motel room while on an out of 
> town business trip that spans the Contest weekend), are folks 
> still going to complain about this?
> 

If the motel is in the same multiplier area; no problem. But what's to stop
these guys from setting up multiple remote stations? One on the east coast
and one on the west coast to increase the proximity effect. If you use one
at a time, you still effectively satisfy the 500m rule don't you? If you
think that it won't be an issue, then you're deluding yourself. Eventually,
as this became more widely spread, the concept of SO2R will include
bi-coastal stations. As the technology advances and becomes more widespread,
then so must the contest rules adapt to the change; just as it did for the
cluster.

The whole idea of remote sites started with guys in CC&R limboes that wanted
to stay in the hobby but had to obey some pretty stupid rules with regards
to their property. The latest thrust seems to be coming from guys who just
want to use this nifty, yet non-radio, technology to increase their
advantage and if they say any different, that's bulls**t. If you have a
station set up in a part of the world where you are one of 3 or 4 stations
for that multiplier area, you have increased your potential by a huge amount
instead of being yet another W3 in MDC or W6 in SDG. That's why these
Caribbean contest stations exist. And if you didn't actually have to travel
there to use it, how good is that? You can bring your wireless laptop to
little (insert child's name here)'s concert recital or watch the NBA
playoffs at courtside and never miss a mult.

> When power transistor rigs came out, I'm sure many with tube 
> rigs probably condemned this "new technology" as being 
> UN-Amateur Radio as well.

Yes, and though I wasn't around to witness it, I'm sure the AM/CW people
looked at SSB with a bit of trepidation but this has nothing to do with the
discussion. Those advances, along with the Yagi, better filtering, the
SteppIR, the auto-tuner, DSP, etc.... these all made the hobby better by
improving the equipment. Remote contesting or remote operating in general is
not making the equipment or hobby any better. It is just making it more
convenient. I like convenience but there's a limit, which I have stated on
numerous occasions. 

> 
> Let's just all do our own thing, single-location remote site 
> or single home station, whatever floats our personal boats, 
> until the "Distributed Contesting" issue wreaks havoc among 
> the ranks and on the bands ;-(
> 
> 73 & Enjoy Contesting Fun Always...while you still have the 
> opportunity to do so...in whatever way falls within the 
> Contest Rules...
> 
> Rick, K6VVA

True. I guess as the saying goes: That which is not banned is required.

I just hope this gets banned :)

73 -- Paul VO1HE

PS: You got your April QST already??? I'm still waiting on my March/April
NCJ.