[CQ-Contest] Why the 10 min rule anyway?

[Michael Keane K1MK]

On 8/2/2009 4:55 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:

>  That, IMHO, is not in the spirit or intent of the M/S category.

Before making pronouncements about the spirit or intent of the M/S 
category, a look back at the history of that category might have been 
useful.

The once and future "10-minute rule" being discussed originated with the 
CQ WW DX contest when the "Multioperator, Single-Transmitter" and 
"Multioperator, Multi-Transmitter" categories were introduced in 1959. 
Prior to that, contests had only had a "Multioperator" category; ARRL DX 
did not split the Multioperator category into Single-Transmitter and 
Multi-Transmitter categories until 1971.

The original "10-minute rule" (CQ's version) not only permits stations 
entering the "single-transmitter" category use of a second "transmitter" 
(whose use is governed by the "10-minute rule"), but the experience of 
the last 50 years has been that the "10-minute rule" has made a second 
station (or more) virtually mandatory for competitive stations entering 
"Multioperator, Single Transmitter" category in CQ WW.

Other contests, other rules; but that's the history, spirit and intent 
of the original "10-minute rule" and original  M/S category.

Vent about the oxymoron of category names, but don't ignore history just 
to set up a strawman and knock it over.

73,
Mike K1MK