[RTTY] NAQP RTTY contest on Saturday February 23

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

Thanks Mike...

My questions came up because in a private message exchange I learned 
that many logs submitted for NAQP come in with "Single Operator 
Assisted" as the entry classification. That is not a valid class for 
NAQP. So this piqued my curiosity to look at the rules to see how the 
classifications are defined.

For the seasoned contester that grew up with the development of the 
network, they will know and understand the nuances of "spotting" in the 
context that you described... that is, being connected to the network 
and sending spots, but not receiving them. I wonder how many casual 
contesters know about this, or how to set it up? If "send only" spotting 
is acceptable for NAQP, it should be stated as such (IMO).

The irony is the existing language negates this understanding in the 
second part. First, 5.a.i. states: "One person performs all 
transmitting, receiving, spotting and logging functions..."  Then 5.b.i 
states: "more than one person performs transmitting, receiving and 
logging functions, etc." Spotting isn't even mentioned in the 
Multi-Operator Two-Transmitter category. This leaves the reader to 
question whether two-way spotting is allowed or not?

I realize it can be argued that anything not explicitly disallowed in 
the rules is allowed on the air. However, when I combine the issue of 
receiving "Single Op Assisted" logs with the indirect language I read in 
the rules, I think the rules should be more direct on this topic.

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN

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On 2/20/2013 7:59 AM, Michael Haack wrote:
> I may entirely have missed this one, but....
>
>  IMHO,  Rule A:1 would apply to "spotting" stations.
> There is no reason not to spot the stations you are working and many 
> cluster nodes will invoke the "contest" capabilities of the system, 
> which allows you to Spot only, and not receive spots from the system.
>
> In doing so you would still adhere to rule A:2.
>
> 73, Mike WB9b
>
>
>
>  On 2013-02-20 1:18 AM, Robert Chudek - K0RC wrote:
>> Hello Mark...
>>
>> Can you (or someone) please clarify the following Single Operator 
>> Entry Classification:
>>
>> "Entry Classification:
>>
>> a. Single Operator
>>
>> i. One person performs all transmitting, receiving, spotting and 
>> logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments.
>>
>> ii. Access to spotting information obtained directly or indirectly 
>> from any source other than the station operator, such as from other 
>> stations or automated tools, is prohibited."
>>
>>
>> My question is this: In subsection "i." why is the word "Spotting" 
>> included? In subsection "ii." spotting information is explicitly 
>> prohibited. This double-talk language leads to confusion.
>>
>> Next, in the Multi-Operator Two-Transmitter category, there is no 
>> mention about spotting. Does that mean an operator can use the 
>> network for spotting? If so, why not simply state it.
>>
>> Kudos! Rule number 7 is plain English. CW only, SSB only, RTTY only.
>>
>> Then in Rule 10, the "assistance" question is buried in the second 
>> half of the "Exchange" rule. In my mind, assistance and spotting go 
>> hand-in-hand. Why not add a plain English rule about spotting and 
>> assistance as a numbered item?
>>
>> My apology if I "sound cranky"... I guess I am!
>>
>> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>
>