To understand why the self-spotting issue was raised, we need to back up a
bit.
In CW contests, RBN and private skimmers will automatically pick you up and
spot you on the cluster networks, courtesy of W3LPL and others. This is
essentially the same as self-spotting because nobody has to work you for
you to be spotted, and as soon as you are detected by one of these robots
(RBN or skimmer) you are automatically put on the cluster.
In SSB contests there is no such facility, so it is generally luck of the
draw for someone to work you then they will spot you. This is because there
is no practical skimmer (voice recognition?) for SSB as of yet.
The accusations were that some folks were self-spotting and trying to hide
it, meaning that they would use a cell phone or another IP or "phone a
friend" all of which are clear rules violations.
In order to take away that incentive for cheating and put everyone on a
level playing field, it was suggested to allow limited self-spotting.
Otherwise, since some folks are going to self-spot anyway, and the contest
committee may or may not find them, it puts honest competitors at a
disadvantage. And the logic was that since essentially self-spotting
happens in CW contests due to RBN/skimmer, that allowing limited
self-spotting would be harmless.
In other words, take away the advantage that self-spotting cheating
currently gives, by allowing everyone to do it. This would have a
detrimental effect on cheaters because now they cannot really gain any
advantage from self-spotting.
Hope I made sense.
Of course, there are purists who see this changing amateur radio into a
computer game - my friends, that is not my intention. The intention is to
remove the ability to gain from cheating by making it so that even if you
self-spot it gives no advantage whatsoever.
With the current system we have the luck of the draw of a random person
spotting you or even organized people in a club asking fellow members to
spot them.
Just my 2c. It's not perfect but it is fair, IMO.
Ria, N2RJ
On Sun, Feb 26, 2017 at 1:43 PM, Barry Merrill <w5gn@mxg.com> wrote:
> There's an even bigger difference; actual spots from hams or RBN convey
> propagation information, self spots.don't.
>
> Barry, W5GN
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> Jorge Diez - CX6VM
> Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2017 7:57 AM
> To: Charles Harpole <hs0zcw@gmail.com>
> Cc: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] cq self spot
>
> There's a big difference
>
> The first one improve your skills, you must learn about propagation, know
> where to point your antennas, etc etc etc
>
> The other one not
>
> So what's next, why we use radios? If we can do all over internet, no qsb,
> no qrn, we do not need to spend time and money building stations and
> improving with better antennas, just connect to internet, choose a nickname
> more funny than our callsigns and go...
>
> For DX what´s the next step? JT65 with a software that do the QSOs alone
> for us while we are working?
>
>
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W
>
>
>
>
>
> Enviado desde mi iPhone
>
> > El 26 feb. 2017, a las 08:08, Charles Harpole <hs0zcw@gmail.com>
> escribió:
> >
> > What is the difference between a CQ and a self spot?
> > Both call attention to you, both announce your desire for contacts,
> > both are self-promoting.
> >
> > We in SEAsia seem seldom spotted in contests, maybe due to our low
> > numbers or remoteness or something. Out of contests, if I did not
> > spot myself, I could call CQ for a long time because few tune around,
> > I guess. If I have an hr to enjoy contacts and do not want to waste
> > the first half hour calling CQ, I send in my own spot.
> >
> > In contests, why would non-mechanized spots be sent out--that is, why
> > would a fellow competitor help anyone find the gem he found and thus
> > helping others score better?
> > I like the ham spirit, but other than bragging ("Look who I just
> > worked!"), and ham generosity, why spot at all?
> >
> > 73
> > Charly, HS0ZCW
> > PS, do big clubs have private, members only, spotting facilities?
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
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