Topband: receiving beacon and cheating

[Kenneth Grimm]

Ian, G3ROO offered:

>I think the crux of the matter is that if anyone is determined enough to
>cheat they'll find a way!
>
>But really, does it matter?.... the point of any award is self satisfaction,
>so if a bloke (or blokess) cheats he's (she) is cheating themselves.
>
>  
>
Garry, NI6T responded:

>Ian:
>
>Try selling that view to Wayne Mills at ARRL. Let me know what transpires.
>
>Garry, NI6T
>
>  
>
Of course you both are right.  There is an assumption at the DXCC desk 
that there is a propensity to cheat.  This has been reinforced over the 
years by cases in which cheating was determined.  I've noticed, also 
over the years, that the rules at the DXCC desk have become more 
demanding as a result of those episodes.  For example, when I first 
submitted cards for the award there was no requirement that 
DXpeditioneers submit proof that they were where they said they were and 
had permission to be there, etc.  Now we must wait until the "DXCC desk" 
determines that a DXpedition was "acceptable."  Why?  Because certain 
individuals had cheated by saying that they were ashore on a particular 
pile of rocks when, in fact they were miles away, sipping pina coladas 
and operating from the deck of their boat.  Cheating in those cases was 
utterly disipicable as it directly affected everyone who contacted the 
cheater thinking that they had worked a new country.  Thousands were 
disappointed when the scam was discovered.

Contrast that with the "cheater" who cheats by rigging a QSO by extra 
"legal" or artificial means.  I might be annoyed if I discovered that he 
had cheated, but he actually harms no one but himself.  The problem is 
that these folks are usually too damn dumb to understand that they are 
engaged in a self-destructive behavior.  Ergo, Wayne Mills and the other 
"keepers of the seal" keep watch and protect, as best they can, both the 
integrity of DXCC and the poor misguided fools who think that they 
actually gain something of value by cheating.

Have I ever cheated?  NEVER!.........well, errrm, maybe, once, at 
cards......... :-[

Would I cheat on DXCC?  You've got to be kidding!  Why on earth would I 
do that?  I'm the only one in the world who cares whether I ever have a 
QSO with a North Korea or not.  I either make the contact or I don't.  
Faking it wouldn't count.  It wouldn't count with Wayne Mills but most 
importantly, it wouldn't count with me.

I did find it interesting to dial up Eric's Skype hookup and hear my 
signal.  It might have some utility, but probably not for me.  It was a 
novelty.  But of course that's what they said about single side band.

73,

-- 

Ken K4XL
k4xl at arrl.net

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