we actually did it, the rules are changing to ban the tech and keep the skill in the sport. its a huge win for everyone who kept the pressure on and i cant believe we pulled it off. enjoy the victory and let's keep an eye on things to make …
WE THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM, WITH RECOMMENDATION(S):
We love CW Contesting because it is CW Contesting. CW Contesting is enjoyed by Amateur Radio Operators worldwide who use their skills and stations to compete with other stations and the other stations\' operator(s) skills.
Although certain technological advancements have been developed and generally accepted by the contest community, Skimmer technology is one we feel should be banned from use in CW Contesting in all categories.
Every other sporting activity has drawn the line at some point when a technology is developed that would substantially change the sport. Hundreds of examples could be given, but as an example, baseball does not allow aluminum bats to be used because it would enable the batter to hit it out of the park too often.
We feel that Skimmer will substantially change the CW Contesting activity enabling operators to simultaneously copy every signal on the band - a feat dozens of operators could not do without this technology.
A dramatic increase in confusion and QRM is expected as pirates will call CQ to see the callsign they used on a Skimmer list. Hundreds of stations will occupy frequencies in an attempt to run stations when their signal is not strong enough to hold a frequency, etc.
Further, the next logical step will be automated QSO Machines which, over time, will actually replace the CW operator in Contesting.
RTTY is a mode of operation that already requires a computer to copy what is being sent. We feel that if Skimmer type technology were allowed in this mode of contesting automated QSO machines could be developed and an appropriate category could be designated so that this technology could be enhanced and those who enjoy that type of automated operation would have the ability to use it.
We respectfully request that CW Skimmer not be allowed for anyone submitting an entry to a CW Contest in any category in order to preserve the sport we love.
just saw we hit 500 signatures on this. honestly didnt think so many people felt the same way about keeping the human element in contesting but its clear now we arent alone in this.
Reached 500 supporters
May 13, 2008
May 11, 2008
we are getting so high on the count now and hitting 500 will show them we mean business. please post the link on your club social pages so we can push over the top today.
Reached 100 supporters
May 1, 2008
6 Comments
D
David
11 years ago
Featured
Yes... We;ll start with this technology and then move on to ban contesting all together. cw contesting is mostly a violation of the fcc rules anyway since it's more often than not purposeful interference. Contesters do not have any consideration for others using the airwaves and it should be banned as a whole.
T
Tom Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
the spirit of ham radio is dying. if you need software to decode for you, stay off the air.
D
Dave Fleming
18 years ago
Featured
Totally agree. It takes the soul out of the hobby. Might as well be playing a video game at this point.
S
Sarah Newman
18 years ago
Featured
SKIMMER IS RUINING THE BANDS FOR EVERYONE ELSE. STOP THE MADNESS
M
Mike Perry
18 years ago
Featured
its getting out of hand. half these guys dont even know how to copy code anymore because the computer does it for them. take away the skimmer and lets see who can actually hear a station
B
Bill Iyer
18 years ago
Featured
finally someone said it. i miss the days when you actually had to use your ears instead of looking at a waterfall display of callsigns.
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we actually did it, the rules are changing to ban the tech and keep the skill in the sport. its a huge win for everyone who kept the pressure on and i cant believe we pulled it off. enjoy the victory and let's keep an eye on things to make …
WE THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM, WITH RECOMMENDATION(S):
We love CW Contesting because it is CW Contesting. CW Contesting is enjoyed by Amateur Radio Operators worldwide who use their skills and stations to compete with other stations and the other stations\' operator(s) skills.
Although certain technological advancements have been developed and generally accepted by the contest community, Skimmer technology is one we feel should be banned from use in CW Contesting in all categories.
Every other sporting activity has drawn the line at some point when a technology is developed that would substantially change the sport. Hundreds of examples could be given, but as an example, baseball does not allow aluminum bats to be used because it would enable the batter to hit it out of the park too often.
We feel that Skimmer will substantially change the CW Contesting activity enabling operators to simultaneously copy every signal on the band - a feat dozens of operators could not do without this technology.
A dramatic increase in confusion and QRM is expected as pirates will call CQ to see the callsign they used on a Skimmer list. Hundreds of stations will occupy frequencies in an attempt to run stations when their signal is not strong enough to hold a frequency, etc.
Further, the next logical step will be automated QSO Machines which, over time, will actually replace the CW operator in Contesting.
RTTY is a mode of operation that already requires a computer to copy what is being sent. We feel that if Skimmer type technology were allowed in this mode of contesting automated QSO machines could be developed and an appropriate category could be designated so that this technology could be enhanced and those who enjoy that type of automated operation would have the ability to use it.
We respectfully request that CW Skimmer not be allowed for anyone submitting an entry to a CW Contest in any category in order to preserve the sport we love.
just saw we hit 500 signatures on this. honestly didnt think so many people felt the same way about keeping the human element in contesting but its clear now we arent alone in this.
Reached 500 supporters
May 13, 2008
May 11, 2008
we are getting so high on the count now and hitting 500 will show them we mean business. please post the link on your club social pages so we can push over the top today.
Reached 100 supporters
May 1, 2008
6 Comments
D
David
11 years ago
Featured
Yes... We;ll start with this technology and then move on to ban contesting all together. cw contesting is mostly a violation of the fcc rules anyway since it's more often than not purposeful interference. Contesters do not have any consideration for others using the airwaves and it should be banned as a whole.
T
Tom Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
the spirit of ham radio is dying. if you need software to decode for you, stay off the air.
D
Dave Fleming
18 years ago
Featured
Totally agree. It takes the soul out of the hobby. Might as well be playing a video game at this point.
S
Sarah Newman
18 years ago
Featured
SKIMMER IS RUINING THE BANDS FOR EVERYONE ELSE. STOP THE MADNESS
M
Mike Perry
18 years ago
Featured
its getting out of hand. half these guys dont even know how to copy code anymore because the computer does it for them. take away the skimmer and lets see who can actually hear a station
B
Bill Iyer
18 years ago
Featured
finally someone said it. i miss the days when you actually had to use your ears instead of looking at a waterfall display of callsigns.
Yes... We;ll start with this technology and then move on to ban contesting all together. cw contesting is mostly a violation of the fcc rules anyway since it's more often than not purposeful interference. Contesters do not have any consideration for others using the airwaves and it should be banned as a whole.