[CQ-Contest] Self spot in ARRL DX

[Randy Thompson]

The flaw in this argument is that many (most?) hams don't subscribe to RBN spots.  Self spotting on CW actually helps reach another layer or two of casual ops and DXers in a contest.  So arguing that using it on phone is just an analog for RBN is not quite true.

Self spotting is another form of calling CQ using the Internet instead of radio.

It does seem the hobby has evolved to the point where making a contact by any means is more fun/important than using tuning skills.  Disappointing, but it is what it is. On we go into the future.

Randy K5ZD

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+k5zd=outlook.com at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Stan Stockton
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2024 9:48 AM
To: Henry Pollock - K4TMC <kilo4tmc at gmail.com>
Cc: cqtestk4xs at aol.com; CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Self spot in ARRL DX

I will attempt to explain the rationale. In CW contests everyone gets spotted automatically.  All you have to do is call CQ and if you have a signal that can be heard you will be spotted on the RBN. In effect you are doing something to cause yourself to be spotted just by calling CQ.  There is little argument that on CW it is perfectly fair since the existence of the RBN.

However, on phone, there is no skimmer and those people who have more friends, belong to bigger clubs, etc are spotted more often than the other people.  If everyone has the ability to self spot it doesn't put them in the assisted category any more than being automatically spotted on the RBN puts those operators in the assisted category.  However, it makes it so those who are using assistance have equal access to everyone who is calling CQ.

Stan, K5GO

On Fri, Feb 2, 2024 at 9:28 AM Henry Pollock - K4TMC <kilo4tmc at gmail.com>
wrote:

> So...there is really no "unassisted" category anymore, right?
>
> Wait a minute...I just looked at the latest ARRL International DX
> Contest Rules, Categories for ARRL International DX Contest, Version
> 2.0 - 04 Jan 2024, Entry Categories For ARRL DX (page 4 of 11), which
> shows No Spotting Assistance for SO and SOSB (reference HCAT.1.1 and HCAT.3.2.1).
>
> The term "self-spotting" is not addressed.  However, on page 11, there
> is a whole paragraph on the definition (Version 1.05, 10 Feb 2022) of
> "Spotting/QSO Finding Assistance" that ends with this sentence:
> "Generating spotting information for use by other stations is not
> considered to be spotting assistance". So, does this include self-spotting?
>
> 73,
> Henry - K4TMC
> (always unassisted and no spotting)
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 9:23 PM Stan Stockton <wa5rtg at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Yes, it is allowed for all participants in all categories.
>>
>> Stan, K5GO/ZF9CW
>>
>> > On Feb 1, 2024, at 9:14 PM, cqtestk4xs--- via CQ-Contest <
>> cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > I know self spotting is now allowed in ARRL DX if you are
>> > assisted. Is
>> it also allowed for UNASSISTED?
>> > Bill V31XX/K4XS
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