[VHFcontesting] Clarification: Spotting [was:The Rover Resource Page updated!]

[Ev Tupis]

Tree wrote:

> There are two schools of thought here.  It sort of gets down to putting the
> emphasis on VHF or CONTEST.  In most contests, you can decide if your entry
> will be a single-op entry (where the operator receives no human assistance 
> with spotting or logging), or an assisted entry (where the operator does 
> receive this type of assistance).  Using packet spotting (or other devices 
> that assist in spotting which have a human element) puts you in the 
> assisted category.

Just a point of clarification... "packet spotting" is no different than "voice 
spotting".  It is not the "packet" aspect that changes your category, it is 
assistance from a 3rd party that does.  Spotting can be accomplished by a 
voice-based radio operator telling another operator that "a rare grid is 
available on 50.106 right now".

Spotting: Notification schemes that involve assistance from entities other than 
the two who are or would-be in RF-based Amateur communication

This goes for assistance from even "non-human" entities, such as digipeaters or 
relays of any type (repeaters or voice-nets).

Regards,
Ev, W2EV