[CQ-Contest] Skimmer: ...and if it quacks like a duck...

[kr2q at optimum.net]

I am really enjoying this thread.  I haven't laughed so much, and scratched my head so much,
and wondered if I am being "put on" so much in a very long time.

Let's try another approach:

Walk into the shack of contester during the contest.  What you see (how the guy operates)
will be very clearly different based upon whether or not the guy is using packet/internet/
spotting networks or not.  

While both (for the most competitive and success [score] ops) are clearly tuning the band and
running (SO2R), one group (assisted) are getting callsigns and the frequencies associated
with those calls fed to them.  It's sort of like magic; they know just where to go and who
to expect (I'll graciously assume that they wait to copy the callsign on their own before
calling and certainly before logging the Q).

Now try the same comparison with Skimmer in place.  Which one of the above does skimmer
look like?  I think it will look a lot (entirely?) like the guy using packet/internet/spotting net.

So for me, irrespective of the source of the "help" (meaning advisement of calls and QRGs),
skimmer and packet/internet/spotting nets both look identical in terms of HOW the contester
is actually operating his station.

So if we accept that "Assisted" is a separate category, then (for me) the above analysis only
further demonstrates where skimmer belongs (in the Assisted category).

I can't wait to see the replies...I am really loving this one!  Maybe "Loud is good" but
"Fun is Good" also applies!

de Doug KR2Q

PS  I would urge that comments stay away from chiding those using assistance as being
necessarily "lazy."  I would have a very hard time visualizing K3WW or KI1G as being a "lazy"
contester.