[CQ-Contest] Xtreme category, catch 22

[Rudy Bakalov]

The investments required to compete in the Xtreme category may not be as Xpensive as some suggest.  Using SDRs that stream the IQ output for the entire band, rather than just audio, allows few strategically located receivers to cover adequately the needs of most hams.  Then the issue becomes available inbound bandwidth  by the Xtreme operator in order to accommodate the IQ stream.
For example, a couple of SDRs in Europe, a few in North America, 1 on the Carribean, and perhaps another one somewhere in Asiapac has the major populations of hams covered.  This is a relatively small investment, particularly when done on a reciprocal basis, for most big gun stations.
My first reaction to the announcement was a genuine joy and excitement as I am all for pushing the edge in amateur radio.  However, the arguments presented here, have convinced me that the current proposal, without any provisions to insure that contests will not be moved predominantly to the Net, needs further thoughts and considerations.
Rudy N2WQ