[UK-CONTEST] May 2m Contest

[Paul O'Kane]

EI5DI
> It is no more amateur radio than this mailing list is amateur
> radio.  The issue is unambiguous.  If it's not RF, it's not
> radio, and if it's not amateur-band RF, it's not amateur radio.

G4PCS
> That might be your definition, but mine is a lot broader. To
> me "Amateur Radio" includes the whole array of activities,
> hardware, software, accessories, etc - certainly not limited
> to "RF".

Agreed - I should have referred to amateur-radio contest QSOs
rather than amateur radio in general.

EI5DI
> What has that got to do with the issue - whether the use
> of his technology (KST) is appropriate in contests? 
 
G4PCS
> Because it was suggested that using KST "isn't real radio",
> which can only be true using a particularly narrow minded
> view of what "real radio" is.

KST is no more real radio than the internet is real radio.
The issue is whether the use of either is appropriate in
amateur radio contests.

> The fact that KST has been specifically endorsed by the
> amateur radio community,

This applies also to the internet - but that alone does not
justify its use in contests.

> KST is commonly used on a daily basis on the VHF+ bands,
> it is an entirely appropriate aid to use, at any time.

Except in contests - and that's why it is not permitted in
RSGB events.

> The skill isn't just "knowledge of propagation", it's
> also "knowledge of propagation tools".

Agreed.  However the issue is whether it is appropriate for
contesters to use KST during contests.

> And where does your "Radio" stop? At the microphone? In
> the voice/cw keyer? At the sound-card output of your PC?

No.  However, in contests, QSOs are my own unaided work.
I find and work other stations all by myself.

G4PCS
> I'm all for a "puritan's masochistic weekend" once a year

EI5DI 
> This is an example of the same attitude that got a few MPs
> into a spot of bother over their expenses.  It's no defense
> to say "I followed the rules" or "No one said I was doing
> anything wrong", when the rules are inadequate or not always
> enforced.
 
G4PCS
> I struggle to find any relevance in that comment at all!

I'll try to make it more relevant.  The dogs in the street
know that, however they choose to interpret the rules, MPs
should not use expense claims to line their own pockets.
The fact that many of them thought it was OK does not make
it right.

In the same way, amateur radio contesters should not use
other communications technologies to facilitate QSOs. The
fact that many of them think it's OK does not make it
right - even if that's what they've always done and 
"anyway, isn't everyone else doing it too?"

As I asked before, are we amateur radio contesters or
amateur internet contesters?

73,
Paul EI5DI