>From the ARRL Contest Update today:
"New Rules in effect for all ARRL HF Contests in June
Starting with the ARRL International Digital Contest, in all categories that
allow assistance (Unlimited), the use of online and other non-amateur radio
platforms including but not limited to social media, live video streaming, and
internet chat rooms will be allowed. In all Unlimited and Multioperator
categories, the prohibition of self-spotting, and asking another station to
spot you, will also be removed."
Wow. It was one thing for the VHF contests to allow use of chat rooms and
telephone calls, now this is extended to all HF contests. It should be
interesting to see what unintended consequences result from allowing multi-ops
and assisted competitors to spot themselves. You could spot yourself with every
CQ if you wanted to. Or you can call people on the phone and ask them to get on
the air. Or send out email reminders to work you during the contest.
It is likely to have the most impact on SSB to produce spotting equal to what
the RBN does for CW and RTTY.
For an organization that has always been so timid and conservative on rule
changes, the ARRL seems to have sprung this one without much consultation with
the contest community. I assume it is in reaction to the W2RE incident several
years ago in ARRL DX where he used live streaming on Facebook during the
contest.
Randy K5ZD
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