[CQ-Contest] Answer to accept from "cheaters" and contest sponsors

[David Gilbert]

I've written on the subject of cheating in ham radio several times 
before so I won't flog everyone here with the details, but suffice it to 
say that many studies have shown why and under which circumstances 
people are most likely to cheat ... and radiosport has ALL of them in 
spades.  I don't think there is any reason on this earth why we should 
expect that hams represent a better class of people than the average 
human, and for many people (not just hams) cheating *is* the contest ... 
the thrill of trying to see if you can get away with it.

I'm not saying that we should let the rotten apples spoil things for the 
rest of us, but I flat out guarantee that there are more than just a few 
of them in our midst.

73,
Dave   AB7E


On 1/30/2013 4:58 PM, w5ov at w5ov.com wrote:
> Charly,
>
> You've got a few years on me in this game, but I have been contesting for
> 40 years now, so I think I've got some "cred" when I generally disagree
> with your summary.
>
> I don't think there is nearly as much cheating going on as you seem to
> think and I don't think that contesting overall is tainted. It is my
> opinion that the vast majority are trying to obey the rules. If they
> weren't, why would anyone bother with commenting on or being concerned
> about what the rules are? I think the most controversial subject of
> discussion here is contest rules, and especially when suggesting making
> changes to them!
>
> Even so, there are cheaters out there and the contest adjudicators do a
> remarkable job in doing what they can to find them - given that they have
> very limited access to the evidence that would be needed to do a 100% job.
>
> W7DRA offered a very good insight with his comment that cheaters must be
> able to consider what they do as "right" in their own minds, and for the
> life of me, I cannot imagine how they can do that. I don't understand the
> motivation of a cheater. While in Lance Armstrong's cheating, he was doing
> so for fame and fortune, but we don't get much of the former, and none of
> the latter in amateur radio, so what their motivation is, I haven't a
> clue.
>
> So, I would say that while there are going to be bad people in contesting
> like there are in all other human activities, I don't think that there is
> a majority of contest participants who are cheaters. To be honest, I think
> the vast majority of people who are participants in contests are only
> motivated because it's fun for them and they have no expectation of ever
> winning anything. Granted, there are those who apparently derive some sick
> and inexplicable joy from deceiving others, but I cannot let them ruin my
> enjoyment of operating a contest. I'd encourage you do enjoy it, and not
> be concerned with the few "rotten apples".
>
> 73,
>
> Bob W5OV
>
>