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

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> In contrast to your assertion, the published CQWW rules for 
> single operators are very plain where it says:
> 
> "The use of DX alerting assistance of any kind places the 
> station in the Single Operator Assisted category".

Prior to Skimmer, the only way to detect DX stations other than by 
tuning across them with the main or second receiver was information 
from another human operator.  In the CQ rules, "of any kind" is the 
same as "by any means [of communication]" and was written that way 
to avoid the need to specify packet, internet, FM voice frequencies, 
telephone calls or even another operator in the net room at a club 
site ... and potentially remote receivers.  It was not intended to 
prohibit additional receivers within the operator's station.

Skimmer is no more "DX alerting assistance" than a scanning receiver 
and a CW reader - which have ALWAYS been legal if anyone had bothered 
to implement them.  Skimmer it is a computer controlled scanning
receiver, 
bandscope and multi-channel CW reader that identifies the calls it hears
- 
nothing more and nothing less.  The operator must turn on the hardware, 
start the software *AND* look at the screen to see the data just as he 
would need to do with any other CW reader.  





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Naumann [mailto:w5ov at w5ov.com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:32 AM
> To: 'Joe Subich, W4TV'; 'Stan Stockton'; 'doug smith'
> Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Skimmer for S/O in IARU
> 
> 
> Joe (W4TV),
> 
> I would like for you to cite your source for your definition 
> of what assisted means.
> 
> In contrast to your assertion, the published CQWW rules for 
> single operators are very plain where it says:
> 
> "The use of DX alerting assistance of any kind places the 
> station in the Single Operator Assisted category".
> 
> The words "of any kind" encompass anything that might be used 
> to provide assistance to a single operator. There is no 
> distinction between outside of one's station or within one's 
> station. The point is not where it comes from, but instead 
> the point is that there should not be any kind of assistance 
> to a single operator.
> 
> Skimmer's purpose and intent is to provide DX alerting assistance. 
> 
> You asked:  
> 
> Q: "Where does a computer controlled second receiver located 
> within the 500 meter circle feeding a multiple channel code 
> reader become Assistance"?  
> 
> A: When it provides DX alerting assistance to a single operator.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bob W5OV
>