[Moon-net] Will things ever change? Pls clarify!

[Russ K2TXB]

Dominique, it depends upon your definition of a QSO.  Some people would say
that none of our EME contacts are QSO's because we (usually) do not have
discussions or exchange any data except in a predetermined format.  No one
discusses the weather or what their rig is, etc.   I actually saw a message
to that effect from a ham the other day.  He allows that contacts made in
contests and via EME or MS are not QSO's, but that they count for credit for
working a station.  I do not necessarily agree, but it goes to show that we
do not all think alike on the matter.

I do not know if there is any official definition of a QSO, but there is an
official definition of a contact and that is what we use for our standard -
exchange calls, report, rogers - both ways.  The standard does not specify
any requirement for how the stations get together.  It does not matter if it
was random, via the internet, via mail sked, or via the telephone.  The only
requirements are that the contact contain the above information that
information is only exchanged over the radio waves.  One cannot use the
internet or the telephone to send his report or his RRR.  That seems obvious
and I think everyone understands this (even though some are willing to break
that rule).  But there are some people on here who are trying to say that
contacts made by using the internet for making the sked are somehow
different than the skeds we have always used.  That is just not true.
 
Contests, on the other hand, have specific rules that go beyond the simple
requirements of a contact.  In the past they have always prohibited
schedules made during the actual contest period and by non-amateur means.
Only recently have contests started allowing an assisted class - allowing
skeds to be made during the contest, and via non-radio means.  Personally I
do not believe that such assisted contest classes are good for our hobby or
for EME.  However it seems that my opinion is out voted and assisted mode
has become popular with some.  I do believe that a worse thing would be to
have separate contests for assisted modes.  That would split us and make
each contest have less activity.  So if we are going to have assisted
contest classes, then I guess "so be it".  It is better than splitting us
into disparate groups - "east is east and west is west and never the twain
shall meet" (Rudyard Kipling-1892).
 
Very 73, Russ K2TXB


________________________________

	From: dfaessler at bluewin.ch [mailto:dfaessler at bluewin.ch] 
	Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 4:38 AM
	To: k2txb at dxcc.com; moonbounceboard
	Subject: AW: Re: [Moon-net] Will things ever change? Pls clarify!
	
	

	Russ

	 

	you are right. They are contacts.

	The real question however is, - ARE THEY QSO'S?

	73 HB9BBD
	
	


	
	Dominique Fässler
	HB9BBD
	+41794002118





	----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----
	Von: k2txb at dxcc.com
	Datum: 04.02.2008 04:20
	An: "moonbounceboard"<moon-net at list-serv.davidv.net>
	Betreff: Re: [Moon-net] Will things ever change? Pls clarify!
	
	Bodo, Clearly all of your examples are valid contacts.
	
	73, Russ K2TXB
	
	> -----Original Message-----
	> From: moon-net-bounces at list-serv.davidv.net 
	> [mailto:moon-net-bounces at list-serv.davidv.net] On Behalf Of Bodo
Heyl
	> Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 3:24 PM
	> To: moonbounceboard
	> Subject: [Moon-net] Will things ever change? Pls clarify!
	> 
	> To make it more clear for me:
	> 
	> A) I am using JT65, look for the logger and see XYZ calling 
	> on a certain QRG (selfspotting), I call him, we exchange the 
	> necessary QSO infos, I am not using the logger during the QSO.
	> 
	> B) I know from my paper list, that station XYZ is normally 
	> using the QRG 144.139MHz.
	> I see him and call him, we again exchange the infos.
	> There is no logger info at all, my computer is switched off.
	> 
	> Which QSO is valid? A or B or none?
	> 
	> C) I am using CW, see XYZ selfspotting in the CW logger, call 
	> him and fortunately we make a QSO
	> 
	> D) XYZ sends me an E-mail asking for a CW sked.
	> We arrange by e-mail (not snail mail) the details like QRG 
	> and date/time, finally we make a QSO.
	> 
	> Which QSO is valid? C or D or none?
	> 
	> Thanks in advance for enlightment,
	> 
	> 73s Bodo/DL2FCN