[CQ-Contest] "Back in the day" -- Single- or Multi-op?

[Dave G. ve3kg@myrac.ca]

Art K3KU asked an interesting question.

A person acting as a "logger" is an impediment.  Anyone who has ever
witnessed a Field Day effort by hapless, well-meaning non-contesters will
know that the correction cycle between the operator and the logger is a
guaranteed method to slow down the rate.  Add that to the list of reasons
why I hate Field Day.

So, why is a "logger" now banned for Single-Ops?  Why and when was it ever
allowed?  Was it because some single-ops had "staff?"

The CQ WW Rules Archive may provide a clue:

- The 1976 rules defined a "Single Operator" as "Single Operator."  That's
it.  Nothing more.

- The 1977 rules defined a "Single Operator" as "Single Operator stations
are those at which one person performs all the operating, logging, and
spotting functions.  The use of DX spotting nets or any other form of DX
alerting assistance places the station in the Multi-Operator category."

So, something happened which caused a more elaborate definition of "Single
Operator" for the CQ WW contests starting in 1977.  With that more
elaborate definition, "loggers" were swept away.

The rules changes redefining "Single Operator" were announced in the
results of the 1976 CQ WW SSB contest.  The focus of the announcement was
on the use of "spotting nets," which pre-dated DXCluster networks.  The
1976 CQ WW CW results had more detail about the rules changes, but only
about two aspects: a new requirement for "dupe sheets" (remember them?) and
the revised penalties for unmarked dupes (remember them?). Bob Cox K3EST
and Larry Brockman N6AR were the managers of the WWs at the time.  They may
be able to explain the reasons for clarifying the "single operator"
category in this way.

The CQ WPX contest rules made an identical change in 1992, fifteen years
after the CQ WW rules changed.  The CQ WPX site does not contain the
results articles before 1999, so I could not see whether the change was
explained in the 1991 results.  Steve Bolia N8BJQ was the manager of the
WPXes at the time, and may be able to explain the change.

At least some of the people who made the decisions are still around and
engaged in contesting.  Some may even be subscribers to this reflector.

I'll stand by my suggestion that a "logger" is an impediment, a millstone
around the neck of an operator.  I would encourage my competition to use a
"logger."  It can only hurt their score.

73,

Dave VE3KG
a ham and a contester since 1975.