[VHFcontesting] APRS vs. Real-time logging

[Rogers, Ron]

 Let's clear the air about a possible APRS use during contests
misconception. 

We advocates of APRS usage during contesting are only talking about the
beaconing of GPS positioning data.....not text messaging for scheduling,
not text messaging for QSO exchange information, not self spotting
(beaconing a frequency, mode, etc.) through messaging, etc. We are only
talking about the permitted use of beaconed GPS data from rovers.

Just because you may receive some exacting GPS data from a rover that
tells you where to point your beam if you do see the latest rover
position report, you STILL have to tune for them, you still have to
listen carefully for them, and path conditions still have to right to
work them.

The sprit of the contest is not compromised. The QSO exchange (not using
the APRS medium) is still expected to take place conventionally. The
rules of the contest don't mention anything about every QSO exchange
must be based clearly on "chance" or "accidental discovery". 

If it did, it would also prohibit the common technique of "walking
stations through the bands" once you have contacted them in the first
exchange.

The rules would also then have to be changed to prohibit the practice of
adding a station's grid locater in with the CQ message in voice and CW
keyers. Same difference as a APRS equipped rover beaconing GPS data
streams. 


Ron 
WW8RR


-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Duane - N9DG
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:05 PM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: [VHFcontesting] APRS vs. Real-time logging

I'll try and head this one off at the pass. The inevitably the question
will be something like: "Duane why do not like APRS for contesting, but
fully support Real-time logging, isn't that also 'networking computers
outside the shack'?"

Strictly speaking yes, but there is a huge differentiation between using
outside networks to report your current score data vs. using it to self
spot / solicit / schedule Q's to augment your score. Real-time logging
alone does not lessen your need to "be looking" for the other stations
to work.
APRS does.

Isn't there competitive data to be gleaned from watching a moderately
nearby competitor's score grow? Sure there is. But it isn't anything
more than you can do already by simply just listening to them.

Duane
N9DG 



       
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