[CQ-Contest] Self spotting

[Kevan Nason]

Chris N8ACP wrote
"You say self-spotting levels the playing field, but exactly the reverse is
true.  Consider the small station, whether assisted  or unassisted, that
loses or does not have internet access during the contest:  since they
cannot self-spot to the cluster during that time, and other stations can,
are they not at a disadvantage?"

Can't argue that losing the internet gives others an advantage. How is that
any different than if your antenna balun burned up, thunderstorms took you
off the air for a few hours, or you had to quit for a few hours more than
you'd planned because you've got COVID and needed some extra rest? Don't
those other stations have an advantage over you then too? When has there
EVER been a level playing field in radio contesting? It's inherently
impossible due to things like propagation, terrain, station location,
operator physical differences, available money to buy equipment, XYL and
dog demands, etc. Best to just accept people are going to have advantages
over you just as you are over others.

"You say self-spotting levels the playing field, but exactly the reverse is
true."
I've a little station (see below). I've found over and over again I get a
rate boost from a spot. It's clear to me spotting, whatever the source,
DOES in fact help level the playing field between my average signal and the
Big Boy stations that everyone can hear.

Because you are arguing unfairness I'll add this thought. I seriously doubt
self-spotting is a major contributor to people not scoring highly. Arguably
the most important key to overcoming unfairness and being competitive is to
develop operator skills so we can fight the challenges we are dealt. N6RO
wrote in his National Contest Journal profile "The best of the best gained
their winning edge practicing the basics over and over in numerous
forgettable events, often using inadequate radios and second-rate antennas.
Discovering how to overcome such obstacles are lessons never forgotten." A
turning point for me came when I took the time to really think about what
he meant. Because of that kind of tip I now do okay with my 100 watt TS590,
tribander at 50 ft, vertical, and inverted-L. I'm not anywhere near the
best of the best, but those lessons learned while using second-rate
antennas and radio's, not self-spotting, that let's me worry the Big Boy
Single Operator New England stations a little bit now and then. (I have
done SO2R but for the last couple years I've mostly been single radio.)

Kevan N4XL