re ON4KST
My comments here are particularly related to my experience in MS, EME
and VHF DX operating rather than contesting in particular.
I live along way from mainland EU and from its inception the ON4KST chat
service was very useful to get people to beam this way - I used it
ethically and fairly for a few years. It was kind of like a small
community where like minded people could swap ideas during the hours of
listening to white noise. In particular 23cm and above have often relied
on some form of talkback for timing, beam alignment etc and provided the
eventual QSO took place on the radio I cannot see much difference.
However -
Three years ago the amount of QSO information that was being passed too
and by participants (cheating) via the chat became so intense that I
stopped using it.
I was disgusted, yes maybe I need to get out more, by the way that
reports and confirmations were passed openly and with no shame. The
ethics of the qso taking place "on the radio" had disappeared.
In mid 2007 Italy got an allocation within the 70MHz band I
decided to log in and take look to see if anyone was QRV.
I saw exactly the same behaviours going on in July 07 and that was and
will be, the very last time I ever use the facility.
I watched a "qso" taking place, largely via the chat facility and when I
questioned whether *any* of the ongoing QSO was going to take
place on 4m the participants suggested moving to Skype!
In the five or so minutes that I was logged in I saw both calls
exchanged, both locators exchanged and when the DX station said "I've
received 26 and 36 as my report?" the UK station actually said "one of
those is correct!" - It took a few more lines of typing before an
accurate guess was made. I firmly believe that the participants thought
this was a valid qso!
So, back to contesting, the RSGB VHF CC's approach was to make a change
to the rules for their events:
The revised rules are listed below:(from the RSGB VHFCC website)
4i. The active use (posting messages, arranging skeds, self spotting
etc) of the DX Cluster and other spotting networks (including internet
facilities for example ON4KST) to assist an entry to a contest on 6m,
4m, 2m and 70cm is banned in all RSGB contests with the exception of
three IARU Region 1 co-ordinated contests (50MHz Trophy in June, 144MHz
Trophy in September and 432MHz to 248GHz IARU in October) and the 144MHz
Marconi contest in November where permitted by the IARU rules for these
contests. You may spot a DX station as long as your operating frequency
is not given.
4k. All information must be copied off air at the time of the QSO and on
the band in use. Databases must not be used to fill in missing
information. The DX Cluster, talkback channels etc must not be used for
passing or confirming any contest related information.
To help operators understand these revised rules, a list of do's and
don't are listed below:
Do spot DX you have worked or heard when tuning the band for the benefit
of all.
Do use the DX cluster to help you find DX during the contest.
Don't use the DX cluster to help the DX find you.
Don't ask other stations that you work to "please spot me"
Don't spot DX you've just worked on your frequency.
Don't spot your fellow team member (if operating in team/multi band
contests eg UKAC, AFS, VHF NFD etc).
I would say that the VHF CC's approach has probably resulted in fewer
QSO's and maybe even a little less activity during VHF/UHF contests, I
don't think it was a particularly popular stance but those contacts that
take place can now be considered real qso's and the participants can
hold their heads high knowing that no one should accuse them of cheating.
So is this kind of thing new, is it only an internet and packet thing? I
don't believe so, for example I heard sometimes similar things happen on
the old 14345KHz VHF net in the 70's and I sometimes listen to the DX
nets on HF - It always makes me smile when I hear the DX'er ask the net
controller "did he send me 5 and 3" the reply "No try again" "5 and 2"?
"yes that's right - good qso" :-))))
My opinion given freely and thus worth nothing.
--
73 de Paul GW8IZR IO73TI
http://www.gw8izr.com
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