[CQ-Contest] Skimmer and NAQP

[Tree]

I am really suprised to wake up today and find out that the CW Skimmer is
okay to use in the NAQP.  

The NAQP is an echo of the old CD Parties - something many of us hold dear
to our heart.  While there is a multi category - it is primarily a single
operator contest.

One of the skills some of the better operators have developed is the ability
to S&P on one band while CQing on another.  This requires lots of attention.
The better operators do it better than the average operator.  

Having a skimmer running totally chagnes that.  You are now presented with
data that is as good - if not better - than packet spotting.  You can see
all of the calls sorted by frequency and just look at the ones you haven't
worked before.

No longer is tuning a VFO required and quick determination of who is on the
frequency and if they are a dupe or not.  Having CW Skimmer reduces the 
element of human contribution to the score.  

All of the CQ and ARRL contests recognize this difference.  In the case of
the NAQP - it appears to have been done by one person - pretty much in a 
vacuum - and in an obscure way that couldn't be clearly understood from
the rules.

I think this wasn't discovered before as it simply was too absurb to 
consider.  It should be revoked before the next event.

73 Tree N6TR
tree at kkn.net