[CQ-Contest] The Skimmer Rule Challenge

[Robert Naumann]

Joe,

You are persistent if nothing else. You are 100% incorrect however.

I refer you once again to the skimmer website where it lists the following
as one of its features:

"The extracted callsigns are exported as DX cluster spots via the built-in
Telnet cluster server". 

How can you say: " No, NO, NO!  Skimmer is not "Spotting assistance" it is a

CW Decoder".

Perhaps the author of Skimmer doesn't understand his program?

I rest my case.

73,

Bob W5OV



-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:w4tv at subich.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:05 PM
To: 'Robert Naumann'; ve4xt at mts.net; 'Kerr,Prof. K.M.'; 'Michael Coslo';
'cq-contesting cq-contest'; k5go at cox.net
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] The Skimmer Rule Challenge


> Note: the rule says spotting assistance *OR* nets involving 
> others etc. It does not say spotting assistance that only is 
> provided by other people.

No, NO, NO!  Skimmer is not "Spotting assistance" it is a 
CW Decoder.  The key, even to the ARRL rules is involvement of 
other individuals.  The words "operating arrangements involving 
other individuals" specifically defines "Spotting assistance" 
which can just as easily involve a non-licensed INDIVIDUAL who 
tunes a second receiver and makes an on-paper list of station 
calls and frequencies for the "primary" operator to work.   

To answer Stan's question: 

> However, there are a few questions.
> 
> 1.  Was the rule made so that there would be a category for the 
> vast majority who want to compete using skill to find stations 
> to work or was the rule put in place to create a category where 
> it would be okay by any means, other than another operator, to 
> make use of a list of callsigns and frequencies?

The rule was put in place so those who chose to make use of data  
from other operators by way of packet or the internet would not 
be forced to enter the multi-operator/single-transmitter class. 
It says nothing about using CW decoders and multiple (or fast 
scanning) receivers.

In every case the rule is about other operators (individuals or 
persons) - not productivity enhancing technology. 

  




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Naumann [mailto:w5ov at w5ov.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:19 AM
> To: 'Joe Subich, W4TV'; ve4xt at mts.net; 'Kerr,Prof. K.M.'; 
> 'Michael Coslo'; 'cq-contesting cq-contest'
> Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] The Skimmer Rule Challenge
> 
> 
> Just some factual input:
> The ARRL rules already make the situation for single ops very clear.
> 
> From the ARRL General rules:
> 2.1.Single Operator: One person performs all transmitting, 
> receiving, and logging functions as well as equipment and 
> antenna adjustments. 
> 2.1.1.Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating 
> arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, 
> packet, Internet, etc) is not permitted. 
> 
> Note: the rule says spotting assistance *OR* nets involving 
> others etc. It does not say spotting assistance that only is 
> provided by other people.
> 
> So, the CQWW and ARRL rules for single op both agree as 
> written that spotting assistance of any kind is forbidden for 
> single operators regardless of the source. Neither of these 
> rules needs to be revised.
> 
> I think the WPX rules as written need to be revised to align 
> not only with CQWW and ARRL but to make sense as pointed out 
> by VR2BG recently. I cannot understand what the WPX Single Op 
> rule is trying to say related to spotting:
> 
> 1. Single Operator (Single Band and All Band) (SINGLE-OP ALL 
> HIGH or SINGLE-OP [BAND] HIGH)
> (a) One person performs all of the operating, logging, and, 
> for the Assisted category only, spotting functions. Only one 
> transmitted signal is allowed at any time. Maximum power 
> allowed is 1500 watts total output.
> 
> Perhaps this was simply a typo that no one caught. In the 
> past (2004) the WPX rule was:
> 
> 1. Single Operator (Single band and All band) 
> (a). Single operator stations are those at which one person 
> performs all of the operating, logging and spotting 
> functions. Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any 
> time. Maximum power allowed is 1500 watts total output power. 
> 
> The way that assistance was addressed at that time also 
> matches up with the CQWW and ARRL rules:
> 
> (d) Assisted: Same as 1(a) except the passive use (no self 
> spotting) of DX spotting nets or other forms of DX alerting 
> is permitted. Stations in this category will compete with 
> other Assisted stations only. 
> 
> If the WPX rules were put back the way they were (and should 
> be), all 3 of the "biggies" would clearly agree that the use 
> of *any* type of spotting assistance would not be permitted 
> for single operators.
> 
> Since it is clear that Skimmer does in fact provide spotting 
> assistance, the rules do not need to be changed to address it.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bob W5OV
> 
>