[CQ-Contest] Remote operations

[john at kk9a.com]

It is difficult enough to keep everything working at a contest station when
you are there operating. It is a real challenge to have everything work when
operating remotely. Kudos to all that are doing this successfully.  

John KK9A


To:	cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject:	[CQ-Contest] Remote operations
From:	K4XS via CQ-Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Reply-to:	Cqtestk4xs at aol.com
Date:	Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:43:27 -0500

I don't have a dog in this fight.  I don't operate remote and  I don't rent 
my station out for remote ops.
 
I spent big bucks and lots of time building my station(s).  If  someone 
else wants to spend $30/hr  to remotely operate a station, who  cares?
Maybe 
the guy lives in an apartment or condo with no antenna.   As long as he 
properly IDs and operates in good practice I have no  problem.
 
If he wants to blow $1440 to remotely operate a contest for 48  hours, is 
that really a lot different than someone flying to Aruba or KP2  spending 
money on airfare and renting a station in person?
 
I chose to spend $$ on my station to gain an advantage in contests,  the 
remote op chooses to do it differently.  The guy who flies to a  semi-rare 
location for a contest does it differently too.  Which is  unfair?  None.
 
Our hobby is changing and always has been.  Those of us old  farts remember 
when SSB was relegated to the top of the phone band.   Remember when 
computer logging started?   Shrieks and howls. Remember  when super check 
partial 
started?  Shrieks and howls.  SO2R?   Shieks and howls.  All of them brought

controversy  and changes to  contesting.  And guess what, the sky didn't 
fall and contesting is alive  and well.  Remote operating may not be my or 
your cup of tea.   However, like it or not, it is here to stay...just like 
computer logging, SO2R  and SCP.
 
K4XS/KH7XS