This is an interesting question from someone who recently asked how to see
that his self-spots got out on the internet on a contesting logging software
forum. Should contests happen on the air, on the internet, or both?
Mike brings up a very good question: how much internet use is too much? Is
updating your QRZ log during a contest a violation of the rules? What if
you use HRDLOG and it automatically updates and a participant sees it and
uses it to correct his log? Even if you're working assisted in the 10m ARRL
SSB contest, this could be construed as breaking the rules by confirming a
contact by means other than amateur radio. For the record, I usually work
assisted, which is using the internet. Anyone who self spots is also using
the internet.
I also received an e-mail after the ARRL 10m SSB contest closed from a
contest station requesting that I fill in my side of the exchange after the
fact because part of their log was accidentally deleted. While I felt for
them, I kindly declined to do so, and responsibly cited the rules (PROH.3,
p.7)
"PROH.3. Arranging, soliciting, or confirming any contacts during or after
the contest by use of any non-
amateur radio means. All required elements of a contact must be exchanged
via amateur radio."
A day later, the other station acknowledged the rules, said they had
recovered their log and submitted it, and that's about as well as it could
have worked out. As long as the required elements are exchanged via amateur
radio it's kosher, but the internet can be used as a crutch.
In my opinion, self-spotting should be done away with, the contest rules
should be rewritten because they're outdated and so vague that they've been
left behind by the technology and cause confusion, and maybe we should go
back to prohibiting internet use in contests. I'm sure this will be a very
popular opinion, but those are my thoughts.
Cheers and 73,
Chris N8ACP
I seem to be seeing (and experiencing) more than the usual number of
messages on various contesting logging software forums lately about folks
wanting instant lookups (in real time) from qrz.com (or wherever) or their
own homegrown programs as they punch a callsign into their logging program
in a contest.
I feel this is becoming quite popular in EU. I get "Hi Michael"(I never use
Michael) from time to time in the bigger DX contests from people that I have
no idea who they are. (I don't mind this from people I know) so I
rationalize they are consulting on online database of some kind.
Shouldn't the contest take place on the air? If I give you a "Hi Hank, Lee,
Bob, Steve" in a contest, you can rest assured, it came from between my 2
ears.
Thoughts?
Mike VE9AA
p.s.-in SSB contests, more than once I have got a "wow, that's a big antenna
on your car" in response to a "59 5" in CQWW SSB.
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