[VHFcontesting] [Packrats] Let's make the contests do what they were supposed to do

Sun Jan 4 09:48:41 EST 2015

Paul,
GM. 
Compelling comments from all in the thread.
Looks like the path is similar to what I hear (from my wife) about the high school system - Everyone now gets a gold star (just need to show up)... Those who do better get more than one star.
Let's just get on the air.

I have been on 2m in the mornings participating in the "205" activity.

73,
W1SMS

Steven M. Simons 
Manitou Systems, Inc.
ssimons at manitousys.com
tel.203.733.2110
Sent from my iPad

On Jan 4, 2015, at 8:47 AM, paul newcombe <g6yzc at msn.com> wrote:

> Sorry Bill, I have to disagree with part of you comments.  
> 3 categories is too many.
> They should make it "1" category BUT no one is allowed to keep score and the contest committee will send every wonderful entrant a certificate to hang on their wall telling them they they are all winners in life. 
> 
> For those of you who do not know me. I am a Brit...
> 
> I know far too many hams who do not enter the contests due to the "assistance rule".     It seems to have been one of those rule put in there by the people who believe anything but CW should not be allowed. 
> 
> My view is just go on the air and put on the square.
> 
> Paul N1RJXG
> 
> 
> 
> From: callbill at hotmail.com
> To: packrats at mailman.qth.net; vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2015 18:29:04 +0000
> Subject: [Packrats] Let's make the contests do what they were supposed to do
> 
> i.e.: Get people on the air.,,,,
>  
> I haven't heard a lot about this on this reflector or the other email lists, BUT.....
>  
> Isn't it really ridiculous to have  13 (or is it 14) entrance categories for the VHF contests? With decreasing participation it's getting to be that some of the categories only have only one (or NO) entries!!! 
>  
> Not to play the "old guy" card, but I will anyway (Hi Wayne!!) In the 50's 60's when I started contesting there were only 2 categories, single op, multiop. The participation was at an all time high then. now, what's the deal?? everyone gets a trophy??? OR.. no one wants to get on the air unless they are guaranteed to win??>
>  
> All that being said, I will get on for the contests no matter what because it's fun. I don't have any pretense of being able to WIN..  I just like to be able to work the guys.. and operating when other stations are on the air is FUN!
>  
> back in the day we made an occasional phone call to get someone on the air... We still made the actual contact "on the air". 
>  
> I totally embrace the rover category. I think if I had my way there would be THREE entrant categories, SO, MO, Rover. but realize this brings up new issues.. can we just start to get SANE about this? Does anyone really think 13 or 14 entrance categories is good for VHF contesting???
>  
> bill, K1DY (ex w3HQT)
>  
> From: rick1ds at hotmail.com
> To: k2txb at dxcc.com; packrats at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2015 12:33:10 -0500
> CC: hwardsil at gmail.com; w1msw at arrl.org
> Subject: Re: [Packrats] What N0AX says about "Assistance"
> 
> Everyone is a bit confused at this point as to what these new categories of "unlimited" or "assisted" stations can or cannot do. Additionally, if this applies to MAP65 for EME, does this also create new categories for the EME contest? Patience--hopefully we'll all find out when Ward andor Matt make this clearer on the VHF reflectors and answer some questions we have. 
> 
> From: k2txb at dxcc.com
> To: rick1ds at hotmail.com; packrats at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: RE: [Packrats] What N0AX says about "Assistance"
> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2015 08:54:11 -0500
> 
> Hi Rick & all.  That paragraph is hard to understand in the context shown, and even in context.  The context is that it applies to the Single Operator Unlimited.  However when it says “not physically locat4ed at the station is permitted”, that is very unclear at least to me.  Does that mean one could use cw skimmer if it is not located at the station, but could not use it if it was located at the station?  Very poorly written rule, I think.
> 
>  
> 
> Also the exception, “spotting information obtained from any source 
> outside the station boundary via a closed or dedicated communication 
> link may not be used.”.  So does that rule out the internet if connected via a wire line?  How about if you are receiving internet via satellite…?
> 
>  
> 
> I suspect that that exception is trying to say that one cannot set up a private link to a remote receiver and use that for spotting (or for other contest purposes I would presume), but why not say that?
> 
>  
> 
> Well, just my two cents…  I don’t like assisted classes for contests anyway…
> 
>  
> 
> 73, Russ K2TXB
> 
>  
> 
> From: Packrats [mailto:packrats-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick R
> Sent: Friday, January 02, 2015 9:56 PM
> To: packrats reflector
> Subject: [Packrats] What N0AX says about "Assistance"
> 
>  
> 
> In the absence of alternative rulings from HQ about what constitutes the 
> boundary between SO and SOU, I would use the following from the HF Rules 
> (http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-arrl-contests-below-30-mhz):
>  
> *2.2.1.*Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements 
> involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, multi-channel 
> decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) not physically located at the station 
> is permitted. (Exception: spotting information obtained from any source 
> outside the station boundary via a closed or dedicated communication 
> link may not be used.)
>  
> Before anybody gets cranked up about HF rules in VHF+ contests, remember 
> that the original recommendation was only to create SOU in all ARRL HF 
> contests and it was the P&SC which extended it to VHF+ without any 
> additional discussion.  So the original recommendation was based on 
> 2.2.1 as above.  That definition needs to be broadened and made less 
> dependent on specific technology but it will suffice for now.
>  
> 73, Ward N0AX
> 
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