[VHFcontesting] Refreshing thought for a change? Thoughts from EM78

[Jeff Thomas]

I've set back and read, cussed, and chuckled as this "rule" discussion has dragged on for many months now. I'm a "little gun" so I generally set back and keep my mouth shut, but I can't resist any longer.

This is not intended to diss anyone's intentions or pick a particular side. 

In short, hey guys/gals....how about we spend as much time towards making VHF+ contesting as fun and inviting to new (old inactive) folks as we seem to spend worrying about rules and nuance?  Just a thought.  Hey guys...it's a friggin' hobby! 

1.  How about let's focus on making VHF contesting fun and friendly versus seeing just how complicated or bloated we can make the rules. You'd think this was a government operation (hint, that's not a compliment).

2.  Unless a FCC Rule is violated, a 2-way contact between two stations over RF is still a 2-way RF contact. 

3.  If they used packet to help find the other station, who really cares? The skill argument? Come on, who are we kidding? One could argue that developing and using every "helper" resource available to facilitate a 2-way "RF" contact and exchange of information is a skill too. A skill that will transfer to emergency communications very well. IMHO, all nuance for the most part. Add in a lot of folks thinking everyone else should think the same and contest for the same reasons and you get this kind of mess. We can argue nuance till the cows come home, but what does that do to increase activity? 

4. If someone wants to cheat, they'll find a way. You can write all the rules you want, they will probably find a way to cheat. Eventually a lot off this comes down to operator ethics and honor, something which more rules will do little to impact. Don't worry so much about it. Even if they do cheat and win an award, they know deep down they cheated. 

Where does this stuff end? What's next, no automatic keyers? If you rove, you can only put your antenna's up so high? How far do we wish to take this, where does this end?

Hey guys and gals, there's a reason why so many of us enjoy the Spring and Fall Sprints. The rules are simple. Use packetclusters, use webclusters, use whatever, just get on the air and make some 2-way contacts. Simple enough. 

Again, how about we spend this much energy and discussion time towards attracting new folks to a friendly and inviting world of VHF+ Contesting.

Just my 2 cents worth. Flame suit on, fire away...my delete key works wonders ;-)


73
Jeff
WA4ZKO
Northern Kentucky, EM78

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