[UK-CONTEST] Remote Control

[Paul O'Kane]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger G3SXW" <g3sxw at btinternet.com>

> .. And by the way (Paul) the 2-way contest exchange still
> happens entirely with RF.

With remote-control, the RF is entirely between the
RF equipment at each end, but not entirely between
the operators.  I consider a contest QSO to be a
two-way exchange, using amateur-band RF all the way
(subject to the usual 500-metre rule), between people
- the two operators.

> If the radio-control and logging software are managed
> remotely by WiFi across the room versus internet across
> a continent I don't see the difference.

I see a difference of approximately the width of a
continent.  Distance matters!  There is no difference
in concept, as they're both remote-control.  However,
contest rules, to cover any such anomalies, generally
permit a circle of 500 metres radius for locating
antennas and equipment - including control and signal
circuits, whether wired or wireless.  As such,
"across the room" can be up to 1km and still count as
conventional operation - and even further under the
"property" clause.

Everyone accepts that "across a continent" is
different, especially when the operator and the
station are in different CQ or ITU zones, or in
different DXCC countries.  Roger quotes rules saying
the transmitting sites must be in a single country
and a single zone.  I've heard that some countries
and zones are quite big :-)

The bottom line is that there is a fundamental
difference between remote-control and conventional
operation. If there was no difference, it wouldn't
need a different name.

One major contest has already addressed the issue,
and prohibited remote-control - the IOTA Contest.

  "All equipment (transmitters, receivers and
  antennas) plus all operators must be located
  within a 500m diameter circle or within the
  property limits of the station licensee’s
  address, whichever is the greater"

Those three words "plus all operators" make a world
of difference.

A repeater is remote station that gives an RF
advantage to anyone who can access it.  A remote-
controlled station gives an RF advantage to the
individual who controls it.  Remote-controlled
stations are personal repeaters.

Who would count a repeater QSO for a new DXCC
country, and who wants to work repeaters in a
contest?  Does anyone think it's worth filling
out QSLs for repeater QSOs?

I believe that personal repeaters have no place
in amateur-radio award-chasing and contesting.
I suggest that /R, or whatever is preferred, might
be appropriate to identify them.  That way, we
will at least know what we're working.

73,
Paul EI5DI