[VHFcontesting] FW: The meaning of Radio [was: The meaning of coherence [was: VUACSeeks Input ]]

[Zack Widup]

I agree with all of this, both Ed's and Tom's statements, particularly Tom's
#4 and #5.

I am leaning toward allowing any sort of light source as long as at least
one stage of electronic modulation and detection is present and the QSO's
are over at least a one mile path.

73, Zack W9SZ


On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM, Tom Holmes, N8ZM <tholmes at woh.rr.com> wrote:

> While all this discussion of coherence and what is 'truly' radio, etc, is a
> fun intellectual exercise, it seems to me that it is going to be tough to
> write a rule proposal that we can agree to recommend to the VUAC until we
> first can describe what it is we are trying to encourage and or prevent.
> Unless we can write a statement of what the objective of the rule is, I
> don't see how we can write one, or even defend whatever rule is
> promulgated.
>
> To that end, the following points have been made which I offer as a
> starting
> point. I won't pretend that this first cut has picked up on every point
> made
> during the last couple of weeks.
>
> 1. encourage use of some sort of electrical/electronic detector, so as to
> avoid the simple candle to eyeball QSO. Why require this? I think it is
> because we want to be able to say it was some form of radio and that it
> required some technical effort, not just a pair of eyes. Gee, maybe the
> requirement should be that the QSO could be completed between two blind
> operators.
>
> 2. require a minimum distance to discourage grid circling and other such
> behaviors. It seems like the minimum ought to be at least farther than I
> could be heard shouting through a megaphone across a still lake. Thinking
> in
> terms of providing emergency communications, and the reasonable needs of a
> situation where we might choose to use lightwave comms.
>
> 3. recognize that both LASER and non-LASER sources have capabilities worth
> exploiting for communications purposes. Broadband vs. narrowband? Spark vs.
> CW/AM/FM/digital? Does it really matter?
>
> 4. remind contesters that the purpose of the contest is to enhance our
> collective technical knowledge, hardware capabilities, and operating skills
> for the purpose of fulfilling the FCC's stated purpose for the existence of
> the amateur radio service.
>
> 5. remind the contestants that while winning is certainly an accomplishment
> to be proud of, that piece of paper on your shack wall didn't come with
> anything more than bragging rights. Is it worth your integrity just to win
> a
> sheet of paper?
>
> In recent years, finding ways to bend the rules without being disqualified
> has become an accepted practice (just ask any NASCAR crew chief, or pro
> sports team owner). If the rule says 1500 watts output max from the
> amplifier, it is OK to do anything that maximizes the effectiveness of that
> power, such as lowering coax losses and increasing antenna gain, but it is
> really out of bounds, to me at least, to find a way to finagle 1501 watts
> out, whether by fudging the measurement method, or some other sleight of
> hand.
>
> OK, ready-aim-crossfire!
>
> Regards,
>
> Tom Holmes, N8ZM
> Tipp City, OH
> EM79xx
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ev Tupis
> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 5:39 PM
> To: VHF Contesting eMail Remailer
> Cc: Stanford VHF email Remailer
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] The meaning of Radio [was: The meaning of
> coherence
> [was: VUACSeeks Input ]]
>
> Within the context of the Amateur radio service, "Radio" includes the full
> electromagnetic spectrum that is assigned to the licensee, as long as the
> first stage of detection is electronic in nature.
>
> Coherence is a non-factor.  The parallel use of any of that spectrum by
> other services (unlicensed, military, ISM, etc.) is a non-factor.
>
> Ev, W2EV
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>