[CQ-Contest] Skimmer for S/O in IARU

[Stan Stockton]

> Spotting *nets*.  Local Skimmer, where the equipment is on 
> your premises, is not a "net".   Nor is it "packet".  Nets 
> and >packet presume stations established by others, set up 
> by others, whose operating parameters have been set by 
> others.  >Local Skimmer is different: it's on your 
> premises, and you're the one who sets up its operating 
> parameters - which band,
>etc.

What I said was that I think it falls within the "INTENT" of 
a spotting net.   When the rules were written, there was no
such thing as Skimmer.  Since we are using those words that 
were put in place before Skimmer was developed and
making assumptions and presumptions, it is a good thing Alex 
did not name the program PACKET or SPOTTING NET
or I presume it would be clearly against the rules based on 
its name as opposed to the intent of the rules or
what it does.

I would rather focus on intent, but just curious (since you 
said it is not a net, nor is it packet)
as to whether two computers networked together at your 
location with one running Skimmer and the other running
the logging software constitute a "net"  The answer is that 
it is a "net".  Does it make any difference?  No.

Skimmer provides a spot of every station it hears calling CQ 
without any operator skill involved.

It is much better than packet since:

1.  Unlike packet, where a tiny percentage of stations that 
call CQ are spotted, with Skimmer
     every station heard that calls CQ will be provided on a 
list.
2.  It only provides a list of stations whose signals are 
readable at your QTH instead of providing a high percentage
     of signals that are not readable at your QTH.

I seriously doubt, if the rule had been written when Skimmer 
was first developed, it would have
have been allowed for a single operator unassisted entrant 
with the lesser assistance aid (Packet)
only allowed in classes where the INTENT seemed to be to 
allow more assistance.

Stan, K5GO