[CQ-Contest] Self-spotting, arranged QSO's and the CQ 160 contest

[Richard L. King]

If you look at the rules for the CQWW 160M Contest, there is nothing 
in the rules about self-spotting, etc. This might be an oversight. 
Actually, the only thing that remotely addresses this action is the 
following:
Use of packet, a spotting net, or logging assistance
makes an entry Multi-Operator.
I looked further, and didn't see any restriction about self spotting 
in what I looked at and read on the CQ Magazine site. The rule above 
might imply to some that the behavior is OK.

That being said, I don't think we can say that this was illegal or 
unethical behavior if there was no rule against it. However, I will 
agree with Steve that it is unacceptable for contesting. I think a 
rule should be added to clearly prohibit this from happening and not 
allow this form of self-spotting, even by multi-op stations.

The 160M Chat web site is there for coordinating weak signal work on 
160M and it is used mainly by DXers. I don't watch it during contests 
when I am single-op, unassisted. But I will watch it, without sending 
it comments, when I am assisted or multi-op. To me it is no more than 
watching packet.

I do think that any coordination of QSOs during contests is like 
"self-spotting" and a rule should be added to cover it. Perhaps 
something like, "Emails, Internet chat rooms, web cams that show 
operating frequency, and packet self-spotting should not be used to 
assist in the manufacture of QSOs for the CQWW 160M Contest by any 
class of entry.

That's my opinion.

Richard - K5NA



At 16:32 1/28/2008, Steve London wrote:
>Here's an excerpt from the low-band chat room
>(http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php) over the weekend.
>
>Could someone explain to me how this could possibly be legal, ethical or
>acceptable behavior under the contest rules ?
>
>The call of the guilty party, a multi-op station owner, has been removed,
>although he certainly deserves to be outed.
>
>K4JRB, CQ 160 contest manager, I hope you are paying attention.
>
>73,
>Steve, N2IC
>
>2008-01-27 13:55:44Z    larry   bob--EU very good last night, worked 103 qso's
>2008-01-27 13:52:54Z    larry   gm bob
>2008-01-27 13:19:02Z    larry   calling on 19.5 for asia
>2008-01-27 12:46:56Z    larry   any VK on?
>2008-01-27 06:09:29Z    larry   nothing len, band was super earlier 
>but nothing now
>2008-01-27 06:06:59Z    larry   i am listening but the band has gone 
>flat, maybe
>soon at your sunrise
>2008-01-27 06:06:09Z    larry   thanks paul
>2008-01-27 06:03:42Z    larry   paul can you listen for me on 26.8?
>2008-01-27 04:59:07Z    larry   looking for EU on 26.6
>2008-01-27 03:04:02Z    larry   drago please spot me on 26.4, thanks
>2008-01-27 02:59:48Z    larry   bela please me es tnx drago qso
>2008-01-27 02:53:08Z    larry   looking for EU on 26.4
>2008-01-27 01:39:04Z    larry   sory alex i was not operating then. try this
>morning again
>2008-01-27 01:36:51Z    larry   EU please lsn 26.4 and SPOT
>2008-01-27 01:19:52Z    larry   listen EU 26.5
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>2008-01-26 07:50:19Z    larry   rag listen for me on 28
>2008-01-26 07:35:41Z    larry   no jim but LOTS of eu earlier
>2008-01-26 07:31:03Z    larry   calling EU on 28.0
>2008-01-26 06:50:07Z    larry   calling EU on 48.8
>2008-01-26 06:44:49Z    larry   48.8????
>2008-01-26 06:41:47Z    larry   39.5 busy here
>2008-01-26 06:40:09Z    larry   clear freq in EU?
>2008-01-26 06:19:31Z    larry   OK S& P now i am operating checking 34.1
>2008-01-26 06:17:26Z    larry   thanks braco QSL
>2008-01-26 06:16:35Z    larry   calling you braco
>2008-01-26 06:15:49Z    larry   OK worked the S52
>2008-01-26 06:14:32Z    larry   working a G4 qrx one
>2008-01-26 06:13:53Z    larry   another freq that is clear braco?
>2008-01-26 06:12:08Z    larry   listening for you branco
>2008-01-26 06:10:54Z    larry   still hearing EU, please call on 74.7
>2008-01-26 06:01:25Z    larry   thanks dick
>2008-01-26 05:59:22Z    larry   michael, thanks
>2008-01-26 05:57:05Z    larry   michael please spot me on the cluster, thanks
>2008-01-26 05:56:05Z    larry   ivan operator change in 5 min will 
>try window in
>15 minutes
>2008-01-26 05:54:04Z    larry   michael will try lower freq soon, thanks for
>your help---still on 74.7
>2008-01-26 05:51:54Z    larry   andy OK try tomorrow
>2008-01-26 05:50:29Z    larry   andy, sorry no copy but still 
>listening EU on74.7
>2008-01-26 05:48:04Z    larry   calling on 74.7 now!
>2008-01-26 05:45:59Z    larry   1874.7?
>2008-01-26 05:44:37Z    larry   how is 49.0?
>2008-01-26 05:43:25Z    larry   trying to work CN qrx will check 
>49.6 in a minute
>2008-01-26 05:39:14Z    larry   26.9 busy and neg on om0m
>2008-01-26 05:36:11Z    larry   michael, 24 qrm here. another freq?
>2008-01-26 05:28:36Z    larry   an7 EU copy on 28.0?
>2008-01-26 05:26:41Z    larry   any EU copy on 28.0?
>2008-01-26 05:26:07Z    larry   any EU copy on28.0?
>
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