[Moon-net] An important step forward!

[K1SG at aol.com]

At the risk of re-igniting the Digital/CW debate  yet again, I don't 
understand why anyone would take "satisfaction" or pleasure  from this rules change. I 
find this revision of the rules a  significant step backwards, not forwards, 
hoping to achieve a "purity" that  generally never existed in the first place. 
    Why is it necessary for the "CW Forever"  forces to impose their 
operating style on folks who are not running CW?   More to the point, why is it 
necessary to denigrate and marginalize new  operating modes because some choose not 
to use them?  
    I do not have an issue with the intent of Point 4k.  of the rules...I 
agree, the contact info must be passed on the air, not via the  Internet.  But 
the data still has to be received in order for a decode to  print out.  WSJT 
doesn't play "fill in the blanks."   And if  there's a question mark in any of 
the data fields, I choose not to accept it as  "solid copy" unless the 
information is decoded the same way in a second  transmission. 
    As to the issue of self-spotting on the clusters,  it's the same as a big 
EME station anouncing before the contest that he will be  active on his 
"usual frequency."  If people know where to look, it often is  the difference 
between possible and not possible, especially with signals that  are not audible in 
the first place; they ARE still decodable if you have some  idea where to 
look.
    It strikes me that CW and digital are different  operating modes; why not 
allow each to evolve in a fashion that makes sense for  it?  Why not allow 
them to co-exist as different, but not mutually  exclusive modes. 
    And why would the Rules Committee not solicit input  from all concerned 
parties before making a rules change of this magnitude?  
    I enjoy operating CW.  I greatly respect the  accomplishments of the CW 
pioneers of EME.  I do not, however, want to  see the digital modes 
marginalized by people who are unwilling to look forward  to a future that isn't the same 
as the past.  
 
Steve Gilbert
K1SG
 
 
 In a message dated 4/17/2007 2:18:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
moon-net-request at list-serv.davidv.net writes:

Message:  1
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 21:07:33 +0300
From: "Dimitris Vitorakis"  <jimmyv at hol.gr>
Subject: [Moon-net] An important step forward!
To:  <moon at moonbounce.info>, "Lista-MoonNet"
<moon-net at list-serv.davidv.net>
Message-ID:  <004b01c78052$1b620230$14b2a8c0 at mar.intralot.com>
Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-7"

Hi All

with great  satisfaction I saw the revised VHF General Rules by the RSGB 
Contest  Committee.
Surely a very important step forward for the advancement of  RADIO during a 
Contest. Not Internet!
Moreover, it is very interesting to  see that 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.  
So in my understanding, Deep Search Decoder in JT65 using the calls3.txt  
file, is not allowed in Contest Operation also.

Check the Contest  Committee web site www.vhfcc.org  main page.

Below is what RSGB  Contest Committee has decided:

"The RSGB Contest Committee has revised  the VHF General Rules relating to
the use of the DX Cluster and other  spotting/chat networks (including
internet facilities for example ON4KST)  in RSGB VHF and UHF contests.

The revised rules are listed  below:

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.

These  revised rules take effect from midnight 30th April 2007.

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)."


73,
Jimmy SV1BTR






Steve  Gilbert
K1SG
K1SG at AOL.com
508-435-9133
FN42fe



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