D-STAR "QSO Party"????

[KG4RUL]

http://www.icom.co.jp/world/d-starparty2011/

A pathetic marketing effort by iCOM.  Maybe participants should give QSLs good for a WADXIS (Worked All DX Internet Stations) certificate?   Will all contacts be a "59"?

ROTFLMAOAIHARHASTCTAW*


*Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off And I Have A Really Huge Ass So This Could Take A While

[KB4QAA]

You are easily amused.

Not any different than working thru a linked repeater system.

The only important things are 1. Talk to other hams, 2.  Have fun.  Period.

[KG4RUL]

Really, prizes for contacts with "foreign" countries! 

What IF ANY skill level does this require? 

Sitting at an HF radio, tuning for Scarborough Reef or Christmas Island takes skill.  Pressing PTT on your internet based "chat" system does NOT.

Just another effort by iCOM to make D-STAR relevant outside the world of EMCOMM.

[KB1TXK]

so what?

[WY3X]

You are easily amused.

Not any different than working thru a linked repeater system.

The only important things are 1. Talk to other hams, 2.  Have fun.  Period.

Ummmm.... no. The FCC allows us the use of our frequencies because of:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
§97.1 Basis and purpose.-

The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can't "contribute to the advancement of the radio art" if you're playing around making radio
connections on the internet. And it doesn't help expand the existing reservoir within the amateur
radio service of trained operators, technicians, or electronics experts. All it does is dumb down the
hobby by allowing people to punch a few codes on their radio and contact the other side of the world
without understanding a single thing about radio propagation. VOIP should never have been allowed
to gain a foothold in our hobby. It may be "fun", but our hobby isn't always about fun. Sometimes
you have to remember why we're allowed to use the frequencies we have, and expend a little good-faith
effort to meet the other requirements of Part 97.1. And just because you met the requirements of 97.1e
doesn't mean you have met the objectives of the other parts of 97.1. I think the FCC intended for us to
work on all of the parts. Sure, have fun along the way, but remember why we're here.

The use of VOIP in a contest makes about as much sense as a telephone-calling contest. This is one
of the most dimwitted ideas I've ever heard of!

73, -WY3X

[KU2US]

You got to be kidding me! A D-star contest!

[KG4RUL]

You got to be kidding me! A D-star contest!

Hey Ken,

Let's add D-STAR to the 13 Colonies SE?  NOT!!!!

[WB6DGN]

WY3X,
Excellent reply!  Well thought out rebuttal, not emotional, nor offensive; a statement of opinion with supporting references.  A good example of the RIGHT way to respond to a controversial topic.  Well done! 
Tom DGN

[KD8OSD]

I see this came over from QRZ. So I'll add my questions.

Does running A Dongle count as a multiplier? How about if I run D-Skype on a dial-up connection, is that QRP?

Ridiculous!

[AB0RE]

Wow - a lot of haters out there.  If you don't want to do the D-Star contest, don't.  Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you.  In fact, I'm betting those with all the animosity towards D-Star here probably don't even have D-Star radios so they won't even know the contest is going on.  "Spin the dial" and find something better to complain about.

In regards to the reference to Part 97, I guess that's a matter of opinion, too:

"§97.1 Basis and purpose.-

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

- Although many look at D-Star as "cheating", it does have it's place, particularly with emergency communications as it offers a more seamless internet linking between ham stations than other alternatives (Echolink, IRLP, etc, but I guess I digress as we're not bashing those here).  Mix in a little D-Rats and DPRS and it's a viable contender with Packet Radio and plain APRS as well.

"(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts."

- This is going to get on many people's nerves, but like it or not VOIP is the way everything is going now-a-days.  I haven't had a regular "twisted pair" landline at my house for years.  To completely reject this technology would be complete hypocrisy when we say we want to advance the radio art.  We need to keep up with the times regarding the technology we utilize and the skills necessary to utilize said technology.  People had this "the sky is falling" mentality when SSB hit the scene, too, but we're all still okay.  Relax.

"(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."

- Okay, even after my rant I'll agree a D-Star contest is a bit on the lame side, but at least it should enhance some international goodwill.  Some hams don't have the real estate needed to put up HF antennas to make DX-contacts over RF.  Let them have a little fun on D-Star (and Echolink.... and IRLP....), and be there for them when they're ready and able to get their feet wet in HF.

Dan / ABØRE

[KB2FCV]

Wow - a lot of haters out there.  If you don't want to do the D-Star contest, don't.  Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you.  In fact, I'm betting those with all the animosity towards D-Star here probably don't even have D-Star radios so they won't even know the contest is going on.  "Spin the dial" and find something better to complain about.

In regards to the reference to Part 97, I guess that's a matter of opinion, too:

"§97.1 Basis and purpose.-

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

- Although many look at D-Star as "cheating", it does have it's place, particularly with emergency communications as it offers a more seamless internet linking between ham stations than other alternatives (Echolink, IRLP, etc, but I guess I digress as we're not bashing those here).  Mix in a little D-Rats and DPRS and it's a viable contender with Packet Radio and plain APRS as well.

"(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts."

- This is going to get on many people's nerves, but like it or not VOIP is the way everything is going now-a-days.  I haven't had a regular "twisted pair" landline at my house for years.  To completely reject this technology would be complete hypocrisy when we say we want to advance the radio art.  We need to keep up with the times regarding the technology we utilize and the skills necessary to utilize said technology.  People had this "the sky is falling" mentality when SSB hit the scene, too, but we're all still okay.  Relax.

"(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."

- Okay, even after my rant I'll agree a D-Star contest is a bit on the lame side, but at least it should enhance some international goodwill.  Some hams don't have the real estate needed to put up HF antennas to make DX-contacts over RF.  Let them have a little fun on D-Star (and Echolink.... and IRLP....), and be there for them when they're ready and able to get their feet wet in HF.

Dan / ABØRE

Agreed 100%. While this contest isn't for me I'm not about to start threads on a few sites just to poke fun at people enjoying the hobby in their own way.

[KG4RUL]

Wow - a lot of haters out there.  If you don't want to do the D-Star contest, don't.  Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you.  In fact, I'm betting those with all the animosity towards D-Star here probably don't even have D-Star radios so they won't even know the contest is going on.  "Spin the dial" and find something better to complain about.

In regards to the reference to Part 97, I guess that's a matter of opinion, too:

"§97.1 Basis and purpose.-

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."

- Although many look at D-Star as "cheating", it does have it's place, particularly with emergency communications as it offers a more seamless internet linking between ham stations than other alternatives (Echolink, IRLP, etc, but I guess I digress as we're not bashing those here).  Mix in a little D-Rats and DPRS and it's a viable contender with Packet Radio and plain APRS as well.

"(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts."

- This is going to get on many people's nerves, but like it or not VOIP is the way everything is going now-a-days.  I haven't had a regular "twisted pair" landline at my house for years.  To completely reject this technology would be complete hypocrisy when we say we want to advance the radio art.  We need to keep up with the times regarding the technology we utilize and the skills necessary to utilize said technology.  People had this "the sky is falling" mentality when SSB hit the scene, too, but we're all still okay.  Relax.

"(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."

- Okay, even after my rant I'll agree a D-Star contest is a bit on the lame side, but at least it should enhance some international goodwill.  Some hams don't have the real estate needed to put up HF antennas to make DX-contacts over RF.  Let them have a little fun on D-Star (and Echolink.... and IRLP....), and be there for them when they're ready and able to get their feet wet in HF.

Dan / ABØRE

Agreed 100%. While this contest isn't for me I'm not about to start threads on a few sites just to poke fun at people enjoying the hobby in their own way.

So, you believe that giving extra points for "foreign" contacts isn't about the LAMEST thing you have ever heard of?   

[KB2FCV]

So, you believe that giving extra points for "foreign" contacts isn't about the LAMEST thing you have ever heard of?   

Is it a contest I would be interested in? No. Any VHF contesting I get involved with involves SSB or CW. Aside from that I contest very little on HF.. only to try to pick new countries out of the mix with the exception of Field Day where I will gladly plant myself in a chair for hours as it involves food, friends and outdoors. All remaining stuff I do on the air is mostly DX'ing on HF/6 with a little ragchewing now and then.

My D-star radio remained off this weekend. Had I remembered the contest I might have turned the radio on for a few minutes to listen to one of the repeaters to see if anything was going on.

To answer your question, I don't think that giving extra points for "foreign" contacts is not the LAMEST thing I have heard of. There are plenty of other things that are far more lame than that... my taxes, today's economy, having to walk into work everyday wondering if my job will be sent to a foreign country, things my health insurance will and won't cover, people who park in a handicap spot who don't have a tag "because they're only going to be there a minute" and make us park far away making for a long and difficult walk for my wife, etc.

For the people who are into D-Star I hope they had fun and spread a little good will. Last time I checked a hobby is supposed to be something you have fun with and enjoy. Different strokes for different folks..

[AK4KZ]

So, you believe that giving extra points for "foreign" contacts isn't about the LAMEST thing you have ever heard of?   

<snip>
...There are plenty of other things that are far more lame than that... my taxes, today's economy, having to walk into work everyday wondering if my job will be sent to a foreign country, things my health insurance will and won't cover, people who park in a handicap spot who don't have a tag "because they're only going to be there a minute" and make us park far away making for a long and difficult walk for my wife, etc.

... people who tune up on frequency over others talking.
... people who intentionally interfere with QSOs they don't like while calling them names
... people who have no patience for others
... taking my earned income and giving it to someone else and not calling it theft
... Chinese radios
... cod liver oil
... naysayers
... the Yugo

I could go on... 

73,
Chris
AK4KZ