[CQ-Contest] Remote contest operation

[PA5MW, Mark]

On 15-4-2013 17:12, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> I guess I'm surprised by this attitude.
Being surprised about reactions here, and wanting to know if I too am 
loneley voicing an off-centre opinion, I quickly checked today with two 
regular contesters from 2 countries; they both strongly agreed with me. 
They both operate from home as well as at clubstations. A third op , who 
is very active at some of the largest MM stations in EU, just told me 
some minutes ago: it is allowed in the rules currently, but it should be 
put into a separate category.
This is not an attitude this is my opinion and, as I learned today, 
supported by other active contesters.
> I had the impression (perhaps it is incorrect) that European hams tend 
> to live in urbanized places where the conditions for ham radio 
> contesting (RFI, line noise, small lots) are unfavorable
Correct
It IS a major challenge operating from home in EU.
It requires effort and experimenting in other directions and forces you 
to set a realistic goal/enter a different category.
And I still love doing it every year.

> , and that consequently they tendto band together to form clubs that 
> can invest in rural locations. 
Correct.
Been there, still doing and upgrading wherever possible.
The BOG is our latest local noise fighting and final working RX antenna 
for the lowbands.
> What is wrong, then, if one or more of the operators log on to such a 
> station remotely.
If they want to do that to make any daily QSO/DX, I will not stop them.
But  for contesting that is , in my opionion, a shortcut which is not ok.

I greatly respect any small or large XXL station setup, also those which 
can be remotely operated.
But if you participate in a contest, be prepared to put your butt in 
that seat.

Have fun in the contest, from wherever you choose to participate.

73 Mark, PA5MW

**p.s. in a few years from now F1 racing will be possible from home too.
Costly and a lot of respectable hardware and software effort to get it 
performing well over the internet for sure. But there will be those who 
finally manage to participate from home. I think the feeling is that 
everyone is convinced you do not whatch live helicopterview TV coverage 
simultaneaously.   No reason to stop new technology and I support them 
having fun. Let's see how long that will last before a different 
category is started...