[CQ-Contest] Ethics

[Dick Green WC1M]

Actually, I was thinking about sponsors using observers during the contest
to spot participants transmitting out of band. I don't know whether sponsors
use observers on a regular basis, or how they might be used, but I do know
of at least one case of it happening. 

 

Newer logging programs, like N1MM, Writelog and Win-Test, log the frequency
to the nearest KHz in the Cabrillo file, so it's certainly possible for log
checking programs to cross-check and remove illegal QSOs from both logs if
at least one of the two participants uses one of those loggers.

 

We agree that the CQing station can't be held responsible for knowing the
laws of other countries, but I still think the sponsor has the right to
remove the QSO from both logs if it's not legal. I also think if an operator
is sure the QSO is illegal, it shouldn't be logged. I would bet most VEs
know that US stations can't transmit SSB below 14.150, 7.100, etc.

 

I think you're right about packet being the source of many an out-of-band
transmission. Writelog lets you define band boundaries, but I don't know
whether it can use that information to prevent grabbing an out-of-band
transmission.

 

73, Dick WC1M

 

From: Edward [mailto:sawyered at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 6:02 AM
To: 'Dick Green WC1M'; cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Ethics

 

You must be assuming that the log shows frequency data.  In my case, I am
using older software that logs all 20M QSOs as 14000.

 

In general, I disagree with the responsibility of the receiving station
"having any responsibility" of knowing the "other stations regs". Why pick
on VEs as "they should know US regs".  Heck, I don't know VE regs.  I have
to assume after hearing decades of VEs working staions simplex on 14150 -
14100 and 7100 - 7000 on SSB that they can legally do that, but do I KNOW?
Nope.

 

And what of the last few years when an I or a G or HB9 or whatever has
called me on 7188 or even 7225 simplex?  I have no idea whether they can
legally call.  All I know (through the grapevine) is that allocations are
changing so they must have that ability now.

 

I think it is totally unfair to ask the CQing station doing 100+ an hour to
be "hanging out an ethical filter" in the heat of the battle as they log Qs.

 

And contrary to the statement made earlier by someone that this is a 0.1%
problem.  It absolutely is not.  I hear dozens of out of band Qs every
contest on 40M as stations call simplex on EU stations running split.  I am
assuming most are using the cluster to point and shout and not watching what
they are doing.but that is just an assumption on my part.

 

Ed  N1UR