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

[kenke3x at gmail.com]

Here is what the current rule says:

"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."

As written, I suppose this rule allows for selective interpretation because:

- the section is entitled "2. QSO Alerting Assistance" ... but

- later in that paragraph, RBN is described as prohibited (but with respect  
to 'QSO Alerting Assistance' only?)

A serious Single Op Unassisted entrant, could justify using RBN to monitor  
their own signal report from overseas skimmers to check propagation ... and  
therefore have an advantage on picking which combination of antennas to use  
... versus another operator who did not use RBN for that limited purpose.

In my view, that is clearly assistance.   The RBN would be "providing  
callsign identification" for their OWN callsign, and is therefore prohibited  
under the rule.

Functionally, it's no different from when I am casually DX'ing and call CQ  
on a semi-deserted band, then check RBN to see how strong I am on skimmers  
in different continents.

Based on the replies I have already seen to this thread, it seems some  
serious Single Op entrants are (or have been) using RBN in this way already.

73,

Ken KE3X

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