>>>>>>One final note: I see more and more WSJT operations in the contest.
Isn't that
"assistance" from a computer? If so, how is it any different than using a
spotting network or APRS? It's another form of assistance........
First of all, I operated the last contest with 5 watts into a dipole, so what
follows is not the opinion of a major contester, just my $0.02.
In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with receiving "assistance" from a piece
of equipment, whether it's an antenna, a radio, or a computer that's hooked up
to the radio. But, all of this equipment needs to comply with General Rule
3.7:
"All transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500-meter diameter
circle, excluding antennas."
So if the computer is within 500 meters, then I would say it's OK, because
it's just another part of the transmitter and/or receiver. If it's hooked to
a computer more than 500 meters away (such as through the internet), then it's
probably not OK. And this is especially true if that computer more than 500
meters away is getting information from a receiver that's more than 500 meters
away, or if information is being put into that computer by another human
being.
I suppose you could make a case that if you look at a weather map on the
computer, or in the newspaper that was delivered during the contest, that this
rule would be violated. But that seems like it's a stretch.
Again, this is just my $0.02, and YMMV.
73,
Rick W0IS
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