[UK-CONTEST] Real-time sharing of logs between stations in AFS teams

[Robert Chipperfield]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reply; much appreciated.

Perhaps you could clarify one point (which I'm sure is obvious to 
others, but I can't quite make out based on the wording of the rule): 
does "posting messages" include spotting DX stations you find when in 
S&P mode?

My current assumptions run as follows:
- I'm definitely allowed to /look/ at the cluster during a contest and 
make use of any info put on there by others
- I'm definitely /not/ allowed to spot myself or ask anyone else to do so
- I'm definitely /not/ allowed to spot other callsigns who called me on 
my frequency

So far so good. It's the last bit of whether I'm allowed to spot others 
when I call them that I'm a little unsure of.

Assuming I am allowed to (which I think I can, but you may tell me 
otherwise), then presumably it would be acceptable to pass details of 
other stations which I had called to my fellow team members - it's 
analogous to me posting them to the DX cluster. Perhaps I should 
consider posting them to the public cluster instead, but I'm not sure 
that's always useful to the wider community, especially if they're not 
really very "DX"! (Hence my theory of keeping it on a private link.)

If that assumption holds true, then perhaps a separate issue is whether 
I'm then allowed to report callsigns I've worked who have called me on 
my frequency. And what if I do this without reporting my frequency (i.e. 
just a list of callsigns)?

Agreed on the question of whether any of this should be done, as opposed 
to whether it is allowed to be done. In the UKAC contests we've actually 
avoided the use of the cluster entirely so far, though mainly for 
technical rather than any other reasons when out /P.

I guess it's just the software developer in me wondering about new ways 
to use the tools we have available!

73,
Rob, M0VFC
> An interesting thought - a kind of multi-multi set-up like GR2HQ, but using
> different callsigns.  An instant reply (required to be so 'cos I'm just
> about to leave for the RSGBCC Committee Meeting) for HF would indicate NOT
> allowed because (taking the term 'entry' to mean the Club Effort rather than
> an individual station)
>
> General Rule 4(f) states:
> The active use (posting messages, arranging skeds, self spotting etc) of the
> DX Cluster and other spotting networks (including internet facilities for
> example ON4KST) to assist an entry is not permitted.
>
> A private network between stations could certainly be considered as a
> spotting network if used in this way.
>
> There are a number of interesting matters raised by this suggestion
> concerning the very principles of spotting and assistance.  Although of
> little relevance for 80m operators they could be significant at VHF and
> accordingly I will raise this mail at the Committee Meeting tomorrow.
>
> 73
>
> Steve
> G3UFY
> Secretary RSGBCC
>