[SADXA] On the Air, Sort Of...3D2AG Rotuma, Legit or Not?

[Wes (N7WS)]

I think ARRL has editorialized on this, but as I recall, they punted.

So I think it's on you to decide.  But the fact that you're asking.....


On 1/12/2016 3:28 PM, Keith Schlottman, CPA, PFS wrote:
> I know this is a controversial topic, and I am very interested in hearing
> any comments.
>
> Today I made my first QSO using a remoterig setup.  It's a nice setup,
> using a K3S control head so it "feels" exactly like using a normal home
> station.
>
> Except...the remoterig unit uses the internet to link me to another
> station.  I used remotehamradio.com to connect to a W6 in San Jose, and
> that station has a K3 on their end with a 500 watt amplifier and a SteppIR
> beam.
>
> Using the setup, I logged 3D2AG/p on Rotuma Island on 20m phone.  I used an
> Elecraft hand mic and it sounded to me just like I was working him from my
> old home station, no noticeable lag and just like a typical SSB contact
> down in the noise. And while my station was linked to the W6 via the
> internet, the connection from W6 to 3D was a completely normal rig-to-rig
> RF contact complete with QSB, lids, band conditions etc.
>
> Rotuma isn't a total new one for me (have them on 10m CW), but it would be
> a new 20m and new phone entity for me.  The ARRL DXCC Desk has ruled that
> they will allow DXCC credits for remote QSO's (as long as it's from the
> same country, it would add to my total).
>
> When I had my home station, my own SteppIR setup, I had a more "purist"
> attitude and would not have been interested in using a remote to any
> station other than my own (in fact, I originally bought the remoterig
> intending to use it to control my base from my office, but never actually
> set it up).  But now I have no ability to set up a home station, and I'm
> craving ham radio badly.  The remote stations seem like an opportunity to
> chase DX and enjoy some radio, not the ideal situation but better than
> nothing.  (I've also been using a portable go-box on occasion but that has
> its own challenges).
>
> I've also found a local setup which is only a couple of miles from my home,
> that has a remoterig setup with a tuned vertical, and the owner has given
> me permission to use it.  Eventually I may try to locate a local site where
> I could put up my own remote station to operate from (anybody got space for
> another tower hihi).  Somehow it seems like I'd enjoy it more if I knew it
> was my own equipment setup and it was in my own town.
>
> Logging in to a remote setup has the obvious advantage of finding a station
> that has better propagation to the DX.  Somehow that makes me feel a bit
> guilty about logging them.
>
> So...what do you guys think?  Is it OK to chase DX using remote setups? Is
> there a dividing line between acceptable versus going too far?
>
> 73 and gud DX
>
> Keith KR7RK
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