[Skimmertalk] Skimmer - Something new to talk about

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Stan writes: 

> What if LOCAL SKIMMER was allowed in EVERY CATEGORY - SDR 
> MUST BE WITHIN THE 500M CIRCLE.  

Under current rules which are based on participation by other 
persons (e.g., single op, "single op + cluster," multi-op), 
systems that apply CW decoders to a second receiver in the 
station already allowed in every category.

> If the SDR is outside the 500M circle or fed into a network 
> (public or private) and the entrant connects, he is using a 
> REMOTE RECEIVER and is subject to DQ.   

It is difficult for an operator or cluster sysop to know if 
the incoming spots are derived from CW skimmer or not.  However, 
if they are CQ spots with the "high confidence" settings, they 
are not significantly different than user generated spots.  If 
Skimmer is connected via a private network and is passing audio 
or raw decoded data down the line that is certainly a remote 
receiver which should result in disqualification. 

> Come up with a number to multiply the final score by if Skimmer 
> used.

Why should a CW decoder be treated differently than any other 
SO2R implementation?  Every test indicates that CW decoders are 
less accurate and less sensitive than the human ear.  

If there is consensus that duplex receive capability should 
be treated differently than "single transceiver" operations, 
stations with duplex receivers - with or without CW decoders 
- should be put in a separate "new" class (single op unlimited)  
separate from both "single operator" (single op classic) and  
and "assisted" (single op assisted).