[RTTY] wae - packet?

[Scott Schultz]

-- Jeff Stai <jds at twistedoak.com> wrote:
I don't subscribe to the notion that packet is inherently "unsportsmanlike"...

Uh oh! This could really stir up some controversy! Some contests like the WAE and the CQ Word Wide WPX contest have no restrictions on using DX spotting networks while most others either prohibit it or have a separate category for assisted. 

It all depends on your motivation for entering a contest. Some people just enter to boost their DXCC count and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. 

On the other hand, if you are entering with the notion of competing with the other entrants, that gets into a grey area. It is kind of like when baseball players use steroids and then break home run records. You can bulk up all you want, but at the end of the day, you still have to connect and actually hit the ball over the fence. With contesting, you can receive all the spots you want, but at the end of the day, you still have to work the other station. Also keep in mind that you are not the only one receiving the spots. In contests like the CQ WW DX where there is an assisted category, there are no power restrictions so 100 watt stations will be competing with 1500 watt stations so what kind of advantage does this really give you (unless you are one of the ones running 1.5k)? 

The bottom line is that you are the only one who will know what methods you used to put each contact in the log and you have to let your conscience be your guide.

Besides, it is just a hobby!

Scott N0IU