[CQ-Contest] Remote Control in Contests

[Michael D. Adams]

I'm still a relative newcomer, so take these thoughts with an appropriate
dose of salt.

I think the reason that it makes sense for remote operation to be
considered "cheating" in IOTA, but not in CQ-WPX is that one of the
(perhaps unstated) objectives of the IOTA contest is to fuel advancement
towards IOTA awards, and one of the (perhaps unstated) objectives of the
"game" in the IOTA award is to incent hams to go travel to unusual islands
to activate them.

"Go travel to unusual islands" and remote operation seem inherently
conflicting.  Therefore a ban or a restriction seems quite reasonable.

I think remote operation bans or restrictions would also be reasonable for
QSO parties (where part of the game is operating mobile or going to
activate uncommon counties), or contests like the NAQP (where the LP
limitation tends to put stations on a more level playing field) or Stew
Perry (with the "just a boy and his radio" philosophy).

However, for contests without special exotic objectives or the
level-playing-field element...I don't see remote operation as a problem.
 If I worked CQ8X (don't have my log here), I'm thankful for the Q and
perhaps the multiplier.  I wasn't specifically looking for the experience
of talking to someone in the Azores -- just to work as many stations and
prefixes as my setup, skills, and time permit -- and therefore I am not
cheated because the operator was physically in Finland rather than in close
proximity to his transceiver in the Azores.

Heck, considering the tinkering I've gone through to get remote control set
up so that I can occasionally operate from my living room couch (avoiding
complaints from the XYL of "disappearing"), I'm just really impressed to
hear about such an effective remote setup.

-- 
*Michael D. Adams* (AB1OD/4)
portable in Marietta, Georgia | mda at ab1od.org



On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 7:14 PM, Ken Alexander <k.alexander at rogers.com>wrote:

> The IOTA Contest is one contest out of hundreds, and the RSGB is one
> organizer out of dozens.  They can run their contest their way and the rest
> of 'em will run theirs how they like.  Or are you saying that the world's
> ham clubs should be looking up to the RSGB for guidance on how to run a
> contest "properly"?
>
> 73,
>
> Ken Alexander
> VE3HLS
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Paul O'Kane <pokane at ei5di.com>
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 1:55:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Control in Contests
>
> On 11/04/2012 16:45, Radio K0HB wrote:
>
> > As long as the station transmitters and receivers and antennae are all
> > contained on the same premise (as specified by the sponsor), who cares
> > how long the mic and speaker cables are?
>
>
> Hans has provided an excellent example of a leading question.
>
> Not to worry. The length of the mic and speaker cables
> is irrelevant, once it exceeds the usual limit (1km
> diameter) for contest stations.  Remote control is not
> the same as having long control and signal cables -
> that's why it's called remote control.
>
> Secondly, to answer the leading question directly, the
> RSGB, organiser of the IOTA Contest, cares.  I quote
>
>    All equipment (transmitters, receivers and antennas)
>    PLUS ALL OPERATORS (my caps) must be located within
>    a 1km diameter circle or within the property limits
>    of the station licensee’s address, whichever is the
>    greater.
>
> http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2012/riota.shtml
>
> The phrase "plus all operators" was added a few years
> ago to prevent abuse of the rules and the spirit of
> the IOTA contest by remote-controlled entrants.  Other
> contests will surely follow.
>
> 73,
> Paul EI5DI
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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