[PaQSO] Bonus Station Spotting

[ka3qlf at comcast.net]

First and foremost to all, I am NOT I repeat NOT trying to rain on anyones parade, be a party pooper, flame Ray, or any of his accomplishments, in Ham Radio. I had the pleasure of even helping Ray get set up in my home county a few years back. So to those who are accusing me of above, kindly correct yourself. 

My issues with email list spotting, especially self spotting via email lists, is simply, this is an Amateur Radio "contest" I find tremendous Irony, in all this hoopla, over anniversaries of the QCWA choosing to use modern technology, rather than original on air tactics. However, if this is the case, then apparently anyone and everyone can, and seemingly should, advertise to the email reflector their freq and mode so that no one has to tune their VFO, and use operating skill. 

I resent, your implications, that I will be a party "pooper" and why you had to drag this into the personal level. That, honestly has me very baffled. 

In response to my statement regarding rovers, county lines, That was simply voicing my opinion on some of the rules of the PQP, where it is ok to self spot, via email, and I presume text, telephone call, any form of means to notify folks of your operating position, yet a rover, cannot claim bonus points for both counties, should they choose to set up on a county line. 

Perhaps, I am thinking back to the traditional reasoning for on air contests, which were to keep skills sharp in the case of an emergent situation, or my experiences following the general rules for Hf contests, and trying to apply such rules to this one. I apologize for sharing my opinion. 

Ray W3TDF, Congratulations on making it to the prime age of 90. I can only dream of making it to that age, let alone be able to function as such as you do. Have a great time in the event this year, hopefully I can catch ya in the 160M tests 

----- Original Message -----

From: TwelveVDC at aol.com 
To: "PQP reflector" <paqso at mailman.qth.net> 
Cc: ka3qlf at comcast.net 
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2014 9:22:35 PM 
Subject: Re: Bonus Station Spotting 

W3TDF is not spotting ourselves to inflate our own score. WE can't compete for Awards. The Bonus Stations are basically providing "check logs" for Nittany to verify YOUR scores. 

How is THAT a problem? 

We are here to give YOU the points, and celebrate Ray da Grump / W3TDF, past President of QCWA Chapter 17, who is 90 years old, and is your Bonus Station Host this year. If you plan to play, please don't be a "Party Pooper." The rest of us will have more fun without the noise. 

1) Spotting is not only not prohibited, it is encouraged in the PAQSO Party. 

2) The PAQSO doesn’t have an assisted class, so no distinction is made. 

3) Don't read the spots if you have an issue with spotting. 

4) Just knowing where the Bonus Stations ARE doesn't get you in the log. You still need skill to work them. 

5) Since I'm not participating on the air, that makes me a "3rd Party Spotter," (which is weirdly more acceptable.) 

6) Spotting helps YOU, not us. How do we possibly benefit if we give you 200 points, and we get ONE per Q? How you think that's an advantage somehow is beyond me. 

7) And Scott, I completely fail to grasp your comparison about County Line Portables and Bonus Points. (Huh???) 

Good luck in the Party. 

-Pete / NL7XM 


ka3qlf at comcast.net wrote: 
> Apologies to those who may accuse me of trying to ruin the party, but spotting yourself via email reflector? I have to disagree with using this method. Portable stations cannot set up on county lines for bonus points but stations can "spot" themselves via email...so very interesting 

<xxx at .com> privately wrote: 
> There is no rule against it and there is no need to do it.