[CQ-Contest] Use of CW decoders in contests

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

My first question is why would you want to alienate anyone that might be
interested in your contest?  Are contest not to encourage more people to get
on and use the bands and have fun?

A number of logging programs will decode CW.  How could you know if someone
was using a decoder?  At least with packet you can looks at spots and
someone's log and see if they are packet hopping.  

Why not encourage cw operation with a decoder?  If they are using a decoder
they probably are not going to win.  I chase counties and a fair number of
SSB only ops have started to use decoders and they are consistently getting
better and better at both sending and receiving on their own.  Thus we now
have more people on CW.  A good thing.

Would you disallow voice memory keyers? CW Keyers?  Computer logging for
that matter? Stations with automatic band switching?  I think you get the
point.

Mike W0MU

   

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Macon [mailto:tmacon at wi.rr.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 23:57
> To: CQ Contesting Reflector
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Use of CW decoders in contests
> 
> We are having a discussion in our club regarding the use of CW decoder 
> programs in contests, especially smaller ones like state QSO parties.  
> I'm referring to CW copying programs like CWget or DM780, not Skimmer.  
> I'm looking for some outside input - here are some specific questions 
> on which we have differences of opinion.
> 
>  - Should the use of CW decoders be disallowed by sponsors, or should 
> there be a separate entry category for entrants that use them?
> 
>  - Can CW entries that use  a decoder be considered digital entries?
> 
>  - Have any contests disallowed CW decoders or put them in a separate 
> entry category?
> 
>  - If a contest introduced such rules, how might it affect the 
> perception of that contest in the contest community?
> 
> Any comments appreciated!
>  - Tom, K9BTQ
> WARAC
> 
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest


_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest