[Skimmertalk] Archive?

[David Gilbert]

So ... hypothetically I could have a piece of software that decodes a 
wide swath of frequency spectrum, analyzes and prioritizes the callsigns 
it finds by real time need or point value, decides which stations to 
call, changes the rig to that frequency, calls the other station and 
decodes the report if it answers, sends my report, and logs the 
contact.  To skirt the issue of fully robotic stations, let's say that 
the program prompts me to hit the <enter> key before each contact and 
maybe gives me the option to override the choice.  By your definition, 
that scenario would not constitute "assistance", even though I don't 
need to know CW, I don't need to know how to use my rig, I don't need to 
hear any audio ...  I don't even need to know which station I'm calling 
until it shows up in the log.  All I need to be able to do is load the 
software I bought.

It doesn't matter a bit whether the technology to do all that with an 
acceptably low error rate exists yet ... the point is that it would pass 
your interpretation of the category definitions.  Sounds like quite a 
stretch to me.

I'm still hoping like hell that the contests sponsors jettison the term 
"assisted" and come up with category definitions that are less ambiguous 
and still provide an arena for everyone to participate segregated only 
by their choice of weapons.

Dave   AB7E



Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
> Technology/hardware/software is not a assistance.  How the 
> technology is used is a decision for the operator whether is 
> be additional receivers, CW decoders, logging software or 
> memory keyers.  
>
> The ONLY "assistance" is participation by or input from ANOTHER 
> operator.  Any deviation from that principle is a red herring. 
>
>
>