[VHFcontesting] Assisted Classes

[Ed Parish K1EP]

At 2/16/2010 01:19 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:

>Spotting is much more difficult to detect. Let's say that someone operating
>in the "Single Operator Low Power" category decides to monitor the Internet
>clusters during the June contest. He doesn't post any spots, so is
>completely, 100% undetectable. But using the network, he manages to snag
>five or six more multipliers on six meters than his nearest competitor in
>his section. He wins the section, while his honest competitor finishes 2nd.

As someone pointed out, it is possible to detect this and it has been 
used in HF contesting for a while.  It is not 100% undetectable.  It 
requires effort, the tools are there.

>Beyond all that, what I dislike is that eliminating spotting results in
>fewer contacts per contest. Period. Given the very real differences between
>VHF and HF contesting, I think we should do everything we can to make more
>contacts possible. Assistance accomplishes that, and I think would be a
>healthy change for VHF.

Assistance is fine and has been acceptable practice for a 
while.  What is not acceptable, is putting yourself in a non-assisted 
class when you use assistance and when the contest has these class 
distinctions.  Yes, there will always be cheaters who do that.  There 
will even be some who are unaware of the fact that they are doing that.