[RMVHF] re: Contest rules and ethics in the real world.

[Jim W0EEA]

Hi,

I have received requests for clarifications on some of what happened.

As for the AO-7 QSO:  The other operator listened only to the output of 
the satellite.  We listened only to his signal on the input and never to 
the output.  That is why I said I would probably have ignored it up to 
that point.  It was the request to move that was the problem here.  
Again you can't argue intent of 'please move to a frequency where I can 
count the QSO.'  The intent is obvious.


As for the near rookie operator at my station calling a friend:  there 
are two rules that apply:

3.3.An operator may not use more than one call sign from any given 
location during the contest period.

3.5.A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be 
subsequently used under any other call during the contest period, except 
for family stations where more than one call has been issued, and then 
only if the second call sign is used by a different operator. (The 
intent of this rule is to accommodate family members who must share a 
rig and to prohibit manufactured or artificial contacts.)

Both rules exist to prevent QSOs producing contest points from stations 
and operators already worked.  An example of such QSOs that were made 
before these rules were added:  before the FCC stopped the practice 
there were some hams that had several (in some cases many) club calls 
assigned with themselves as trustee.  There were noted examples on the 
air of two operators using the same pair of radios and antennas where 
one of them would change calls ten times in five minutes.  Both  the FCC 
and the ARRL correctly acted to end the practice.

The near rookie had heard of but not properly considered 3.5 and could 
not remember ever even hearing about 3.3...   He knows about both now 
and will follow both in the future.  Since his intent was clearly stated 
as not attempting to create points for anyone anywhere I felt that was 
sufficient in the circumstances.

73,
Jim