[CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules

[Russell Hill]

Several points occur to me:

1.  If I were a lone operator in a rare multiplier area I would strenuously 
oppose any new protocol which made it easier for another operator to set up 
a competing station in that rare multiplier area.  Remote operation would 
make it easier to set up a competing station, if the operator did not need 
to travel to that station in order to operate in a given contest.  However, 
there would be a lot of additional complexity to setting up such a station 
and having it be contest-reliable and -capable.  Taking complexity of set-up 
and latency into account, probably a net loss for the remote operator 
competing with the local guy.

2.  For someone who insists that ham radio is all about talking to denizens 
of another locale, I would wonder:  In a contest when he works Outer 
Slobovia, does he stop contesting in order to have a half-hour chat with 
that person, thereby adversely affrecting his rate?

3.  The rules refer to Transmitters, Receivers, Antennas.  They do not 
comment on Operator location, therefore the operator does not have to be 
within the 500m dircle.  Wishing the rules said something different does not 
make it so.

4.  We have had remote operation of our equipment for some time.  VOX comes 
to mind.  You do not have to touch the gear, press a switch, or whatever. 
Just yell at it, and the transmitter keys up, the antenna switches to the 
transmitter,  and if connected, the amplifier also keys up.  You don't have 
to touch nuttin'.  Internet operation of the station is simply a louder 
voice, or a longer mike cord or a longer lead to the key, as has been said.

So are we worried about whether remote operation is good for ME? or are we 
worried about whether remote operation is good for CONTESTING in general?

If I were a lone op in a remote multiplier I might be worried about how it 
affects ME.

But for CONTESTING in general, I believe that the capability of remote 
contesting  encourages more activity by more operators, and that can only be 
good for the entire community.  Yes it perhaps requires some clarification 
about call sings, but so what?

FWIW, I am not contemplating setting up a remote contest station.

Capitals used for visual emphasis, not yelling.

73 to all on both sides of the question,
Rusty, na5tr



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul J. Piercey" <p.piercey at nl.rogers.com>
To: "'Eric Hilding'" <dx35 at hilding.com>; <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Site Contesting Rules


>> -----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.
>
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