I don't really believe that the issue with most contesters in the US
is whether
packet is fair or unfair anymore. That may be an issue in some places
in the
world -- perhaps at a dxpedition to Madagascar or some Indonesian
Island.
Even if that issue is slowly losing it's truth, the issue of whether
packet is
really fun will remain, and will motivate many contesters until they
are silent
keys. The simple truth is that packet isn't fun for many who began
their
contesting years before packet became widespread. There's no denying
that the genie is out of the bottle, and this hasn't benefited the
purists. The
technology leaps onward -- in truth, packet isn't even aptly named
anymore.
Packet has been technically trumped by internet spotting networks and
is
now a thing of the distant past, a mere contributor to the
international
internet. But abuse and cheating are two different issues that are
separated
by the difference between rules and ethics. Packet abuse is common,
but
not clearly defined. Packet cheating is present though rare and
presents
a more attractive target. K1TTT's efforts seem to target "apparent"
cheaters rather than abusers.
----- Original Message -----
From: <Cqtestk4xs@aol.com>
To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> TOMK5RC@aol.com writes:
>
> The gauntlet is
> thrown in the essence of pushing the technology envelope and,
perhaps, not
> seeing
> another thread about how packet is unfair.
>
> A very interesting idea.
>
> However, on the posts about packet........I don't think most of the
posts
> stated that packet is unfair. Most guys don't have a problem with
the use of
> packet. Rather, it is the WAY in which packet is sometimes used
that is
> unfair. K1TTT, myself, or other critics of the abuses of packet,
should not
> remain silent on this matter. It is only by attacking these
abuses, that changes
> may be made in operating habits.
>
> I want the dirtbags who are abusing packet to feel guilty when they
look at
> that shiny plaque on the wall and know that it's not so shiny
because they
> got them by self-spotting or got a bunch of their buddies back home
in the XYZ
> Contest Club to cheerlead them. I want their buddies to digest
what has been
> written, and to see if perhaps they think as highly of their packet
abusing
> buddy as they did before.
>
> Positive thinking is great and for the most part most of the guys
are on the
> square. However, we cannot ignore the cheaters and we must apply
peer
> pressure of them. This reflector is an excellent way to do it. So
are one-on one
> chats with members of your local club.
>
> Talk it up at contest club gatherings. I doubt anyone will admit
to abuses,
> but it may make them reexamine their ethics of operating...and
perhaps
> readjust accordingly. I hope so.
>
> Bill K4XS
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