[UK-CONTEST] CQWW lowlife

[Paul O'Kane]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Knowles" <g3ufy at blueyonder.co.uk>

> .. the Cluster can't be un-invented. 
 
> We don't have the power to switch it off, so we'll have
> to learn to live with it, or go QRT !!!

As I see it, the cluster is fundamentally unfair, or undemocratic
if you prefer.  Why? - because the "benefits" of being spotted are
entirely at the whim of someone else.

So, assuming you want to be spotted, how do go about it?  A simple
way is to get your friends to spot you, but that's considered to
be unsporting.  Another way is to spot lots of people so that they
will eventually return the favour.  This doesn't work when, like
me, you have never ever spotted anyone.

Finally, self-spotting is also considered to be unsporting -
although I can't see why. Isn't it just the equivalent of calling
CQ?  After all, there's little point in integrating other wired
communications systems into amateur-radio contesting when they're
not going to be used to the full.

Here's a couple of suggestions for making the cluster fair, and
almost useless.  1.  Spot every QSO you log.  2.  Send QSM after
every QSO - it's a new Q-code meaning you have no objection to
being spotted.  

73,
Paul EI5DI