Topband: Additional Comments on Impact of Remote RX Systems

[John Crovelli]

This has been a great discussion.....nearly 50 posts on the remote RX question this week....nice job everyone.....we even managed to keep it fairly  'civil'. 
I went back and read all of your posts a second time, and selected some of the observations and suggestions for this summary discussion which is solely contest oriented.    I am purposely avoiding any discussion of comments about concerns with DXCC rules, proliferation of full remote station operation (private or public), rule changes designed to change contest scoring systems, etc.  This is simply about how using remote RX solutions impact contest results. 
1.  There are many traditionalists among us who sum up their feelings about top band operation with this phrase:
 "160 Is Hard....And We Like It That Way" .
2.  Many feel there is a legitimate "price of entry" for success on top band.....there should be no free ride nor few plug and play solutions.   This concept takes different forms, whether it be securing property in a quiet RF location, designing and building bigger or more efficient antenna systems, etc.  Few hold the belief or have the expectation that there should be equality among 160 stations, either geographically or technically.   
3.  If you are or expect to be a serious competitor in the major 160 contests, you want those in your class of entry to abide by the letter and spirit of the rules as written. Shame on you for running excess power or for using remote receivers in EU, JA, SA or the USA.  
4.  Noise problems are an almost universal problem for top band operators, casual and serious alike, and this represents a rather significant hurdle for many in their quest to participate in 160 meter contesting.  Some station owners feel it is so important they go to extreme lengths to "borrow' or purchase a quiet location...often at significant personal expense.  Some concentrate on building the best TX and  RX antennas possible within their location's space limitations.  Some work diligently with power companies and neighbors to reduce the noise floor. And so far a relative few 160 operators use internet enabled solutions (such as remote RX systems) to make 160 meter operation minimally viable.  There are many paths that can be taken.
5.  There seems to be agreement among respondents that a valid CONTEST QSO occurs when the TX and RX antennas of the two stations involved are co-located within a 500 meter circle at each end of the circuit. 
6.  There is general agreement that remote station operation is acceptable in contesting as long as all TX and RX antennas of the remote station are co-located at the same remote station location, and all applicable government regulations are followed by the owners and operators.
7.  There is general agreement that the use of HYBRID RX antenna systems, e.g. a mix of both  on-site and remote RX antenna systems, would significantly change the competitive environment under existing rules and entry classes, effectively creating an unfair advantage for entrants/stations that achieve effective full duplex operational capability (a technical achievement which is exceptionally difficult to accomplish on 160 meters at stations where RX and TX antennas are co-located).
8.  There are situations (particularly in urban areas) where the noise problem is so overwhelming that 160 meter operation at a meaningful competitive level is impossible.  Operators in this situation are seeking relief through the rules, specifically requesting permission to use remote RX systems connected to the TX location via the internet or other means.

Below are possible rule changes I would feel comfortable with since they maintain the current competitive environment, yet address special situations where remote RX would increase contest participation and enjoyment:
A.  Create NEW and SEPARATE entry classes for SO, SOA and multi-operator entrants who use remotely located RX systems for 160 meter contest operations.  
B.  Remote RX systems must be no more than 100 km from the TX antenna location. 
C.  HYBRID RX antenna systems are NOT PERMITTED (see #7 above).

Thanks again for your interest in this subject and your thoughtful comments.
Regards,
John, W2GD