[CQ-Contest] Self spot in ARRL DX

[Henry Pollock - K4TMC]

Stan and Randy,

Thanks for your thoughts on this subject.

Continuing further...Using some form of real-time technology to notify
others of my signal information potentially helps me gain more contacts,
which appears to be a form of ‘assistance’ toward me in gaining a higher
score. And it allows others to find me without even touching their radio's
tuning knob or seeing my weak signal on the waterfall (OMG...less work =
more pay).

Relative to Randy's comment - "Self spotting is another form of calling CQ
using the Internet instead of radio."  So...is self-spotting somewhat
equivalent to operating with 2 radios?

And, should I enter the SO2R category when I choose to self-spot? For ARRL
DX, should I enter SOU?

And, if I am working all bands, then should I be in one of the Multi
categories, since I could potentially have spots for all 5 bands over a
short period of time.

Oh wow...I am starting to get a headache...

73,

Henry - K4TMC




On Fri, Feb 2, 2024 at 1:09 PM Randy Thompson <k5zd at outlook.com> wrote:

> 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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