[CQ-Contest] Preview of CQWW Rules 2015

[Michael Adams]

Regarding the discussion of whether running skimmer software with certain features turned off is or isn't "assistance", I'd like to offer a simple rule of thumb:

If you feel a need to lawyer a justification for how you aren't operating assisted....you probably are operating assisted.

In my opinion, running skimmer software with decode turned off still is assistance in a CW contest (unless hearing loss precludes copying by ear). I usually use skimmer as a poor man's panadapter, and I proudly wear the "assisted" label.  As long as I'm maximizing my fun, I'm happy.

If someone felt a need to get detailed on whether the use of skimmer, panadapters, scopes, etc. constitutes "assistance", I'd suggest looking at the WRTC 2014 rules as to whether scopes/panadapters  were allowed.  If the tech was permitted to WRTC competitors, it's probably not assistance.   If WRTC entrants couldn't use it, it probably is assistance.

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Michael Adams | N1EN | mda at n1en.org