[CQ-Contest] FW: [SOU] => Single-op Unassisted <sort of long>

[K1TTT]

> P.S. Please note that I use the terms "packet" and "skimmer" in the
> generic
> sense which is not to specify a specific brand name of any particular
> product, system, or application.  We all know what these refer to.
> Sorta like calling any facial tissue a "Kleenex". We all know what that
> means even though it is a brand name.

I disagree, 'skimmer' can not be generic because the reference software 'CW
Skimmer' has a wide range of uses... and more casual ops like my deaf friend
that uses CW Skimmer as an audio code reader, yet wants to enter contests,
sees discussions about banning 'skimmer' and thinks he can't use CW Skimmer.
It would be better to refer to 'spotting systems' or if you want to refer to
all sources of spotting information, or 'automatic spotting systems' if you
want to refer specifically to something like CW Skimmer.


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Naumann [mailto:W5OV at W5OV.COM]
> Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2010 14:01
> To: 'Tod - ID'; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FW: [SOU] => Single-op Unassisted <sort of long>
> 
> Tod,
> 
> I generally agree with your suggestions. I do, however, think that VE3EJ's
> suggestion is completely valid once we recognize and agree what we're
> talking about and stop "splitting hairs".
> 
> Your description of the bandmap as a potential issue misses the point as
> the
> bandmap capability does not provide the callsigns and frequencies to the
> unassisted operator unless he has decoded the callsigns himself and placed
> them in the bandmap for future reference.  The key to understanding this
> is
> that the operator must receive and decode all callsigns himself - no other
> assistance in this whether biological or silicon-based should be
> permitted.
> So, the technology is merely an organized "notepad" of who's where that
> the
> operator has collected himself - there's nothing wrong with this
> whatsoever.
> 
> 
> Of course, if he is connected to a packet system or a skimmer-like device
> (local or remote) that is decoding callsigns and reporting callsigns and
> or
> frequencies to the bandmap, then we have an issue and the operator would
> clearly be assisted.
> 
> If you look at what the result is, and recognize that there is no tangible
> difference between being connected to packet or by using a (remote or
> local)
> skimmer-like device - both should be considered equivalent (and now are by
> all the major contest sponsors) as clearly being assistance to a single
> operator.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bob W5OV
> 
> 
> 
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