[CQ-Contest] SO2R REMOTE CONTESTING

[Kevin Normoyle]

It would be a lot simpler if the rules were changed to just say all 
receiving
and transmitting antennas had to be in the 500 meter circle, and let physics
determine what else needs to be close to the antennas, from a "optimal
performance" point of view (since that's how people will decide) and
let anything else be located wherever people want.

One problem is that the use of repeaters in contesting is generally 
called out as illegal,
and remote strategies can start looking like repeaters, with maybe something
other than RF in one of the links.

So you get weird scenarios, like allowing unlicensed spectrum (2.4 ghz 
or 5.8ghz say), to control
a remote with TCP/IP, whereas if it was licensed ham spectrum 
controlling something
called a repeater, it would be illegal for a contest?

People already say things like Echolink are repeaters,  but isn't that 
just TCP/IP into a remote?
So why is it different than "remote" operation?

Maybe someone can give an opinion on all the differences between remote 
operation,
Echolink, and repeaters. It all morphs together in my mind.

Like I said to start, rather than "clarifying" you could imagine just
changing the rules to restrict only the antennas. If all hell breaks 
loose and people hate
it , you could always change the rules back in 2 years or so.

-kevin
ke6rad

Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> Rick, 
>
>   
>> However, "in an abundance of caution" I personally want to 
>> get a firm, iron-clad answer to this from the Contest Sponsors.
>>     
>
> Like you, I would want a firm ruling from the contest sponsors 
> and a decision on what constitutes "all equipment" particularly 
> as technology has the potential to change the nature of the 
> transceiver as we currently know it. 
>
> My personal prejudices are that the operator should also be 
> within the "circle" but that may not be practical for some 
> people.  However, in any case, the operator should be within 
> the same entity (or contest multiplier).  Thus an operator 
> in the US should not be permitted to run a DX contest remotely 
> from the Caribbean or other "DX" location ... an operator in 
> Florida should not do Sweepstakes remotely from VY1 ... even 
> an operator in Ohio should not contest remotely from WV. 
>
> Still, those "political" issues are separate from the technology 
> questions. 
>
> 73, 
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV 
>  
>
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