[CQ-Contest] My need re contests to self spot

[Christian Schneider]

If this is the reality of seemingly too many ops being unable to find a 
station without someone putting a spot on the net, then we will have 
more and more cries to allow selfspotting (for the sake of activity, for 
being equal with CW where RBN spots each CQ etc....).

Done consequently and driven by convenience it will not be restricted to 
all forms of "cluster" but unevitably will then also use web based 
social media of all kinds. Thus we will have CQing on twitter and 
Facebook, too - and every big multi-op station will need at least one 
social media guy to optimize CQing there. You can do and gain an awful 
lot there: A FB post with an attracting picture of ops and "now on 21250 
beaming XYZ" (in necessary languages for target region plus tagging, 
plus seeding posts on relevant sites there etc.) placed at the right 
time will of course give an advantage over a competitor not doing it.

Not judging, only describing what web addiction is about to bring. 
Convenience rules on and on and beats the fun of challenges. Wasn't RBN 
initially NOT planned to deliver spots into the cluster system? It was 
not realistic to expect that. It may not be realistic to expect that 
ever expanding contest rules will really define and restrict which kinds 
of web based spotting will be allowed. Sooner or later we then will 
discuss whether banning Facebook CQs is as "oldfashioned" as now banning 
selfspots.

73, Chris DL8MBS


Am 13.04.2017 um 02:14 schrieb Charles Harpole:
> Here is my situation that may be true for many ops.
> I now have limited stamina and prop.  When I do operate, I want some
> action--that means my taste is for rapid running.  However, I live off the
> population centers and nevertheless need to be heard by lots ops and
> quickly in my short op time.
>
> Actual typical example...I begin at start of the TWO HOUR window I have NA
> or EU.  I work a couple S&P who say I am vy loud, so I call CQ.  Nothing.
> The two hours are slipping by.  I spot myself once.  A flood of callers
> result and running fun.  My two hours give me 75-120 QSOs.
>
> No spot gives about 25 QSOs.
>
> The contest gives me 4 two-hour openings if lucky.  ​Given my tastes, not
> spotting myself means no fun.
>
> So, I self spot couple times or less.  I enjoy the contest.  I can not
> enter due to spotting.  These are my facts.  Deal with it.  I do.  73,
>
> Charly, HS0ZCW
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