[Xtreme-talk] Self-spotting and Xtreme

[Bob McGwier]

I am against Self spotting and my reasons may surprise you.

It is clear that CQ contest committee thought long and hard about this 
before bringing Xtreme out.  We all know, and I am sure they will 
admit,  it is not perfect.  BUT, it is a start.  It is needed.  We are 
allowed to do the kinds of innovations that we would never be allowed to 
do in our commercial, government, etc. jobs in the communications area 
and I view this as a tremendous boon to bringing experimenters and 
contesters who are looking for a "new thing" together.  In our case, we 
will finally have the milieu to provide the contesting motivating factor 
to this innovation.  In my mind, it is brilliant, not perfect, but 
brilliant.  My gripe is that I really wish I had more warning.  It is 
really going to be tough to do a lot of good by this season,  next yes,  
but for now never mind.  That is not what I am writing about anyway.

What I really really want to avoid are distractions from the intent and 
reportage on the outcome.  If we allow self spotting by the main station 
call or any of the subordinate station(s) allowed to "network" in the 
Xtreme class,  we will have subverted the intent and the message and 
will have given credence to naysayers.  We will have distracted from the 
message since the arguments over self spotting WILL BE the story.  I 
vote strongly NO for this reason alone.

Bob
N4HY

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