[CQ-Contest] Assistance & Entry Status

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Well Paul, that is the rub, isn't it?

First, though, let me thank everyone who's replied to me (direct or via the
reflector).  So far, only two disagree with my decision, the other 2 dozen
have agreed with me.  So I feel confident that this is the correct course of
action, to enter as a Multi-Single.

To answer one of George's comments below... I am deliberately not
identifiying the contest involved, not that it would be too hard to figure
out, as one of the primary movers & shakers in the event is active on this
reflector.  I do not wish to put him in an awkward position, especially
regarding any "official" commentary he might have.  This may be a "gray
area" that needs addressed in the future, but I don't want to be the one to
push him or the contest committee in that direction until and unless they
are ready to address it.

In any case... Paul, while there may be no provision in the rules for
cluster use aka SO-A categories at present... I'm also concerned with the
ethical appearance.  In my own mind, for my own operating (YMMV, I'm not
trying to reopen this argument in general again) since I made extensive use
of the spotting network during the contest, ethically, I should enter as a
Multi-Single (a category that is in the rules, incidently).  Otherwise,
well, even if I don't get anything out of it, it wouldn't be right.

Or to put it another way... quite a few years back, I operated in this event
as part of a Multi-op effort.  During the course of the day, I split off for
a few hours and activated another multiplier that we were just over the line
from.  At the end of the time allotted, someone else made 2 QSO's from my
operating position.  Just 2... but that made it M/S not SO, and as a result,
another M/S op in another part of the multiplier (that we weren't aware of
at the time) won the category.  I could easily have "overlooked" the 2 Q's,
and who else would know but me?  And as it turned out, there were no SO
entries from that mult... so I would have "won," but it would have been
meaningless.

Based on the input from everyone else, I am glad that a good many others
feel the same way.  Even if it costs me a "win," I'd rather do the right
thing.  I just wanted to be sure that that's what this was.

Thanks again to all for your input.  Nothing further on the matter need be
discussed.

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 19:01:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: PAUL PIERCEY <p.piercey at nl.rogers.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Assistance & Entry Status
To: cq-contest at contesting.com

I disagree. If there is no provision in the rules governing the use of the
cluster or "assistance" per se, then there would be no expectation that a
single operator would enter as a multi-op as a matter of conscience. If the
rules can't be followed then where does that leave us?


73 -- Paul VO1HE


----- Original Message ----
From: George Fremin III <geoiii at kkn.net>
To: Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw at verizon.net>
Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com
Sent: Saturday, November 3, 2007 11:51:02 PM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Assistance & Entry Status

On Sat, Nov 03, 2007 at 07:09:13PM -0400, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:

> This contest does not have an "assisted" category.  The rules as they
> currently stand do not mention anything about the clusters or their use in
> any way, shape, or form.

What contest?


> I feel that by rights, since I had assistance via the cluster from other
> ops, I should enter as a Multi-Single.

You are correct, you should enter as multi-single.

>
> A good friend (who is not on this reflector, AFAIK) who is not a "hard
core"
> contester, at least not yet, tells me that I'm nuts, I should enter as
> Single Operator.  When I mention the cluster, his attitude is "who cares?
> Besides, everyone does it."  [I know, a bad attitude, but I'm working with
> him (he is yet young).]

He is wrong, not everyone does it.  Most people follow the rules
of most contests.  If this contest really does not talk about
packet at all - I guess you could enter as single op.


> Regardless... am I wrong in feeling that the right thing to do in this
> situation is to enter as M/S?

I do not think so.



--
George Fremin III - K5TR
geoiii at kkn.net
http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr