[CQ-Contest] : Reverse beacon of my own call?

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

Hi Ron,

Don't apologize for disagreeing - if we all agreed all the time, the
discussion would be pointless! :)

In my interpretation, the intent of the rule is to prohibit use of any
technology that would alert the operator of the frequencies of
stations that are CQing, particularly multipliers, so the operator is
forced to use the big knob on the front of the radio, and his/her
ears, to find stations/multipliers to work. CW Skimmer and RBN are
stated as examples of such technology, but the point of the rule is to
prohibit "QSO alerting assistance", not specifically to prohibit
specific named technologies. If it was, someone could re-implement the
CW Skimmer concept and call it something like "CW Searcher", and be
able to use it without violating the rule. Clearly that's not the
intent. In my option, using RBN to find out where you are being heard
is something completely different from "QSO alerting assistance", and
therefore it is not in violation of the [intent of] the rule.

Not trying to be argumentative - just stating my opinion. Of course
ultimately it's the contest organiser's opinion that really matters...

73,

    ~iain / N6ML



On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 7:22 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw at verizon.net> wrote:
> Sorry Iain, I must respectfully disagree with you.
>
> It is very clear from the way the rule is written that the intent is to
> prohibit a single operator from using RBN, since RBN is derived from
> Skimmer.  And RBN is explicitly prohibited.
>
> I also don't agree that parsing the rule to find a smidgen of a loophole is
> appropriate.  This is not a court of law, after all.  And I strongly suspect
> that if someone was going to try and argue that point, the wording of the
> rule would likely be "clarified" to eliminate any seeming discrepancy.
>
> It seems pretty clear:  Use of RBN by SO stations is prohibited.  Period.
>
> 73
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> iain macdonnell - N6ML
> Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 9:18 PM
> To: w5ov at w5ov.com
> Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] : Reverse beacon of my own call?
>
> The way I read the CQWW rule, RBN is an *example* of a "technology or
> other source that *COULD PROVIDE* call sign or multiplier
> identification along with frequency information to the operator". If
> it is not used to provide the operator with frequency information
> about other call signs / multipliers, I don't think it would be in
> violation of the rule. Another example might be CW Skimmer in "BLIND
> mode" (not sure what the CQWW position on that actually is).
>
> Personally, I don't think that querying the RBN to see where you're
> being heard constitutes "QSO alerting assistance"... JMHO...
>
> 73,
>
>     ~iain / N6ML
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 24, 2013 at 4:19 PM,  <w5ov at w5ov.com> wrote:
>> There are two parts to the CQWW rules concerning single operator that make
>> this entirely clear and without exception:
>>
>> The first:
>> A. Single Operator Categories
>> 1. Single Operator: QSO alerting assistance of any kind is prohibited (see
>> VIII.2).
>>
>> Second: Definitions:
>>
>> VIII.2. QSO alerting assistance: The use of any technology or other source
>> that provides call sign or multiplier identification along with frequency
>> information to the operator. It includes, but is not limited to, use of DX
>> cluster, packet, local or remote call sign and frequency decoding
>> technology (e.g., CW Skimmer or Reverse Beacon Network), or operating
>> arrangements involving other individuals.
>>
>> So, as I read it, it says specifically that Single Ops may not use RBN
>> since RBN is part of the definition of assistance. It has nothing to do
>> with remote receivers.
>>
>> The rules are published here:
>>
>> http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Bob W5OV
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> "BTW CQ WW rules clearly disallow RBN for Single Operators with no any
>> Exception"
>>> Actually it doesn't.  The rules state that this technology cannot be
>> used
>>> to
>>> decode callsign and frequency information or multiplier information.
> Since
>>> you know your callsign, transmit frequency, and whether you need
>> yourself
>>> for a mult before looking for a signal report on RBN, there is actually
>> no
>>> violation of the rules on the surface from my read.
>>> You could argue it's the use of a remote receiver.  However if that is
>> the
>>> case than all RBN use would be prohibited for all users regardless of
> class
>>> except extreme.
>>> My interpretation of the rules only but read them yourself and see if
>> you
>>> disagree.
>>> 73
>>> Ed  N1UR
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>>
>>
>>
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