[CQ-Contest] VHF Contest - Self Spotting

[James Duffey]

Ed - You wrote:
	"I must have "missed the memo" on this one if there was ever any dialog
	concerning this.  Anyone else think this is just a bad idea?"
In July, the ARRL BOD directed the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to stimulate activity in VHF contests. In November, the committee published some proposed rules changes and solicited comments on them. Most of the rules changes were concerned with assistance. In January, new rules were announced by the committee for the June and beyond contests. There was very little change from the proposed rules; the changes primarily emphasizing that the assistance used should not take the place of an actual QSO. The announcement was accompanied by a statement that the proposed assistance had strong support. There was no dialog, not at least in the classic Socratic sense, that accompanied the rules changes. Rules changes were proposed, comments on the rules changes were solicited, and the proposed rules changes were implemented. I didn’t receive any feedback on my comments on the proposed rules changes, not even an acknowledgement that they were received. I don’t think anyone else did either. There was some discussion on the VHF contesting reflector about the rules changes, but as far as I could tell, none of the committee members took part in this. Given the history of trying to implement VHF contesting rules changes, I guess this lack of opportunity for dialog is not surprising. 
Yes, many of us think that overall this is a bad idea, not assistance in VHF contests or even self spotting per se, but the manner in which it was implemented. Yes, there is lots of opportunity for abuse. No, I don’t think this alone will increase participation in the VHF contests. 
As long as we are on the subject of VHF contests, look for KK6MC/r in the VHF contest this weekend. You should be able to use the cluster, RBN, APRS, or a cell phone to find out where I am. Hope for Es. - Duffey KK6MC/r