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

Thu Jul 25 11:20:19 EDT 2013

Hi Hans,

The usage I'd envisaged was use of a URL like this:

http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0&t=dx&c=K0HB

73,

    ~iain / N6ML

On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 6:15 AM, Hans Brakob <kzerohb at gmail.com> wrote:
> If the RBN can be filtered to return only spots of your own call and no
> others, then I'd agree with Iain.
>
> 73,
>
> De Hans, K0HB
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 5:11 AM, iain macdonnell - N6ML <ar at dseven.org>
> wrote:
>>
>> 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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