[SCCC] The Trivialization of Contests --- Self Spotting

[Tree]

Read it and weep:

https://groups.arrl.org/g/ARRL-Contesting/message/1499

On Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 3:12 PM Tree <tree at kkn.net> wrote:

> " I believe self spotting is only allowed for multi-op and assisted
> (unlimited) categories."
>
> Welcome to the new reality - it has changed over the past year - for ARRL
> Contests only (thank goodness).
>
> Tree N6TR
>
> On Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 3:07 PM KURT PAUER via SCCC <sccc at contesting.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I believe self spotting is only allowed for multi-op and assisted
>> (unlimited) categories.
>> 73, Kurt W6PH
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Mar 10, 2023, at 1:17 PM, Jim Neiger <n6tj at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > 
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > A year ago, the ARRL surprised most of us with the rules change that
>> self spotting will be allowed in their contests.  Numerous opinions were
>> stated on the Contesting Reflector, and I will not regurgitate them here.
>> But I'd like to offer a couple of my own, for whatever they're worth.
>> >
>> > 1. Some time ago,  The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee posted a
>> so-called white paper on the ARRL Home Page, entitled "HF Contesting - Good
>> Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions" which stated in Paragraph 6)
>> Spotting and Use of Spots,
>> > a) "Self spotting is the practice of announcing your own call and run
>> frequency on the spotting network. A few contests have categories that
>> allow self-spotting, but most don't.  For example, ARRL contest rules
>> specifically prohibit both self-spotting and requesting spotting by other
>> stations.  It's a form of CQ-ing that does not take place on the amateur
>> bands, JUST A STEP AWAY FROM MAKING PHONE CALLS TO SOLICIT CONTACTS".
>> >
>> > 2.  I think that the League, or its Contest Advisory Committee, or ??
>> should have solicited opinions from active contesters.
>> >
>> > 3.  It was interesting to read, or hear, statements of denial from ARRL
>> CAC and/or Directors who said that they really didn't have a say in this
>> radical change of self spotting.  Who is running this show anyway?  It
>> certainly ain't we members.
>> >
>> > 4.   In the recent ARRL DX CW and SSB contests, I found it noteworthy
>> to see who decided they needed to self spot to win, or compete.  Kudos to
>> Andy AE6Y (at his P49Y operation in the recent ARRL DX SSB)  comment on
>> 3830 that "he didn't self spot, and he disapproved of it on principle", but
>> may be forced to change his ways.
>> >
>> > QUESTION:  My interpretation of Paragraph 1., above, how come Self
>> Spotting doesn't make one "Assisted" or Unlimited?  Self Spotters have
>> "called CQ" on something other than an amateur band.
>> >
>> >   The genie's out of the bottle.  If a contest is going to allow Self
>> Spotting, simply move those who do to the Unlimited column. Let's see if
>> anyone reverts back to our fondly remembered Old School.
>> >
>> > Very 73,
>> > Jim Neiger  N6TJ
>> >
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