[CQ-Contest] Rule Change Debate on Skimmer

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> I'm sure that the log adjudicators will be setting up a 
> private network of skimmers that they will log into to grab 
> skimmer spots through the skimmer telnet interface. That will 
> provide a database of skimmer spots that will be used for 
> later detection of skimmer cheaters.

No skimmer network can duplicate the skimmer spots I receive 
from my own copy of Skimmer running on the S&P radio.  That 
is totally contained in my station and not the product of any 
other operator.  The use of a locally run, non-networked 
Skimmer is no different than a memory keyer or computer 
logging with history file and super check partial.  Perhaps 
less "assistance" than  history and SCP files complied by 
OTHERS! 

Skimmer technology will change contesting just as the 
memory keyer, DVK and computer logging have changed 
contesting.  However, the technology horse is out of 
the barn and half way to town - unless you are willing 
to "ban" all technology to the assisted category, a  
precedent has already been set  that says technology 
is fine as long as it does not involve another operator 
during the contest. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve London
> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:33 PM
> To: Pete Smith; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Rule Change Debate on Skimmer
> 
> 
> On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 8:30 AM, Pete Smith 
> <n4zr at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > >
> > > The problem is that it will be almost impossible to detect a 
> > > decisive level of cheating.  The statistical methods used 
> to detect 
> > > packet cheaters simply
> > > won't work.
> > >
> > >
> > > Bzzzt.
> > >
> > > With several network skimmers located at various places, 
> all feeding 
> > > their telnet outputs to a single database, the same statistical 
> > > methods used to detect packet cheaters can be used to 
> detect skimmer 
> > > cheaters.
> > >
> >
> > I'm not talking about the reverse beacon network, Steve - 
> I'm talking 
> > about using a Skimmer to feed your logging program locally.  There 
> > will be no network benchmark for those.
> 
> 
> You have missed my point.
> 
> I'm sure that the log adjudicators will be setting up a 
> private network of skimmers that they will log into to grab 
> skimmer spots through the skimmer telnet interface. That will 
> provide a database of skimmer spots that will be used for 
> later detection of skimmer cheaters.
> 
> This will work every bit as well as using packet spot history 
> to detect packet cheaters.
> 
> 73,
> Steve, N2IC
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com 
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest