[CQ-Contest] ARRL Rule Change for Remote Ops - Always Multi-op?

[Kevin Stockton]

Bart,

All of the other major contests allow a station host to maintain the
performance of the station before, during, and after the contest.  Below
are the single op rule definitions for the major contests:

CQ: One person (the operator) performs all operating and logging functions.

Russian DX contest:  Those stations at which One person performs all of
operating, logging, and spotting functions.

Worked All Europe: Single Operator means that one person performs all
operating, logging and spotting functions.

IARU: One person performs all operating and logging functions.

What happens when my 90 year old neighbor’s amp blows a final and he can’t
physically lift the replacement amp onto his desk?  CQ, RDX, WAE, and IARU
have no problem with this, and my elmer can submit his log as a single
operator entry.  The ARRL penalizes him for not being able to physically
lift a piece of equipment, and determines that he is now a multi operator.



What happens when the guest operator takes a nap and wakes up to a computer
that has gone to sleep?  The ARRL will reclassify the operation as a multi
op just because he asked the station owner the password for the computer.


A post on April 5, 2017 to the ARRL website in regards to the same band
"dueling CQ" rule change stated that the new rule would bring the ARRL in
line with the CQ sponsored contests.  Why not do the same with the single
operator definition?


73,

Kevin, N5DX



Bart,


With your quoted definition, there have been a lot of miscategorized operations
over the years. I've even read in 3830 write-ups about station hosts
swapping out amps, climbing the tower, etc. during the contest.

Barry W2UP

On 7/27/2017 07:53, Jahnke, Bart, W9JJ wrote:

Hi Barry,

While each contest sponsor has their own rule definitions, ARRL has used this
published definition for Single-Operator for nearly 20 years:

        2.1.Single Operator: One person performs all transmitting, receiving,
and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments.

In ARRL contests, if a station host or other helpful person makes any equipment
or antenna adjustments, whether locally or remotely, they cause the operating
category to become Multioperator.   Meals, refreshments, etc don't enter the
ARRL's definition of assistance.  Assistance is when as the operator you are
unable to perform equipment, rotor or antennas adjustments/maintenance and you
must call upon someone else's help (that help if embraced changes your
operating category to a Multiop profile in the ARRL contests).

Thanks for participating!


73,

Bart Jahnke, W9JJ
Contest Branch Manager
ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™
225 Main St
Newington CT 06111
860-594-0232w9jj at arrl.org