[UK-CONTEST] Was NFD originally an emergency capability test?

[Paul O'Kane]

On 07/06/2011 12:08, Don Field wrote:

> The logic of which leads one inexorably to allowing local skimmer, as no
> Internet connection is required ....

There may be logic there, but only to those who
think it's appropriate to use a multi-channel CW
decoder, or any decoder, in a CW contest. That's
a good way to reduce CW to the status of "just
another data mode" (K1TTT - 22 March 2008)


> As always, the hard thing is where to draw the line. 15 years ago taking the
> band data from the rig to change antennas, even computer logging, was
> leading edge. Now it's everyday technology.

And in another 15 years, the technology will have
again changed beyond imagination, but it will then
be everyday technology.  The one constant is that,
unless we depend solely on amateur-band comms for
finding or facilitating QSOs in NFD and other
contests, we will be doing something other than
amateur radio.

I have claimed that the objectives of NFD were,
and are, to demonstrate or to acquire the skills
necessary for complete communications independence.
Once we use the internet to undermine that
independence, we might as well be honest and call
ourselves internet amateurs.


73,
Paul EI5DI