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

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Is it "legal"?

Is it either explicitly permitted or prohibited within the rules of the
contest?  If not either way, it might fall into a "gray area" depending on
how one interprets the rules.  [Although personally, IMHO, if this type of
practice is not explicitly prohibited, it should be]

Is it "ethical"?
Not as far as my definitions of ethics are concerned.

Is it acceptable?
If no one blinks an eyeball at this, if it is ignored or swept under the rug
or not addressed, then by default it becomes acceptable.  Let's hope that
doesn't happen.

IMHO.  YMMV.  VWPBL(STn).

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:32:37 -0700
From: Steve London <n2icarrl at gmail.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Self-spotting, arranged QSO's and the CQ 160
	contest
To: CQ Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>

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?