Friday, April 1, 2011

The A-R-Double-L


Amateur radio is an activity governed by rules and regulations more than almost any other non-commercial activity. Firstly, amateurs are bound by the rules for amateur radio operation established by their governments regarding frequency, power and other limits of their operation. Those who pursue the art of DXing are bound by the rules of the various DX programs in which they participate. Contesters are bound by the rules of the contests in which they operate.

Where ever there are rules, there are inevitably rule breakers, intentional or not. Some are blatant, others, not so much. For every rule there is an interpretation of what the rule actually means. In the case of award programs and contests in particular, there is even room to argue that rules are wrong.

Opinions on these matters, like certain body parts, are universally widespread among the populace. This has lead to a sub-genre of activity in the amateur radio world defending or attacking various rules and interpretations. To date, this activity has been haphazard and un-organized. Amateurs, however, love clubs and organizations. Except for those who hate clubs and organizations - another argument for another day. But for those who feel a need for organization and recognition, we are proud to announce the founding of the Armchair Radio Lawyers League (A-R-Double-L).

The A-R-Double-L is predicated on the assumption that everyone has watched enough episodes of Law and Order to be a self-educated lawyer and can apply that astute thinking to interpreting the rules of the DXCC program or the 10-minute rule for CQWW and can argue their opinion persuasively without resorting to childhood epithets involving bodily parts. Hence, it is not expected to attract a large crowd of 75m ragchewers.

A new list-serv dedicated to A-R-Double-L arguments will be created. As needed, special list-servs may be created for individual topics such as “Should Scarborough Reef be considered ‘land’?” and “What actually constitutes ‘assistance’ during a contest?”. The hope is that these will remove some of the dreck from CQ-Contest*.

The Armchair Radio Lawyer League will be administered by the law firm of Howe, Dewey, Cheatham and Wynn.

* The Armchair Radio Lawyer League has no affiliation with the CQ-Contest website, the CQ-Contest list-serv or Major League Baseball.

8 comments:

  1. Is good thing have more lawyer talk. Need lawyer for bad lid ops show up on run when Leche get spot. Lid ops think spot of Leche mean "Go call CQ on Leche run freq."

    Need ARdoubleL to look into lid ops call cq on Leche frequency. Is bad problem when lid ops use wrong SSB on Leche run.

    Also maybe need ARdoubleL help get bail monies back from Macho Cuesew. Macho not pay for pizza him eat up at last multi either. Is bad as lid ops on run.

    Leche Dinero

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  2. Leche, I told you I left my wallet in my other pair of tights that weekend. Don't worry, I'll get the tacos next time. I'll re-pay you the bail money just as soon as I sell that old Hallicrafters to Dash. He's a sucker for anything hollow-state technology.

    Remember, its LOWER sideband on 40m

    Macho Cuesew

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  3. There's no rule that says lower sideband on 40M.

    Bud AA0LID

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  4. Hey Macho, just wait until you're clawing at our fallout shelter hatch, begging for a crust of broken HT-37 or a cup of Brown Recluse Spider ridden Super Skyrider. We'll remind you of your smart remark and luxuriate in our vintage waterbed surrounded by all known S-38E receivers that just new a few new caps, original knobs and a thorough waterbedbug fumigation.

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  5. I think Dash! meant to type "receivers that just NEED a few new caps, original knobs and a thorough waterbedbug fumigation. It would appear his bad jokes got the better of his motor skills.

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  6. Is rule about lower ssb on 40m contest? Leche run AM so get ops on both ssb. Is good when Leche remember he op in USA and need be split with transmit over 7150, listen for EU down on CW lids.

    haha Leche want see pictures of Macho not get in fallout shelter! Maybe Macho grow extra head that glow in dark. Help keep shack light bill down, not need lights. Leche think bugs at Feel Day be buzzing Macho head haha.

    Leche Dinero

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  7. Leche, lay off the cactus juice. It makes you loco, amigo. You start sounding like pig farmers on 75.

    Macho Cuesew

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  8. Leche not OF pig farm op yet. Leche still have most teeth, not yet have back surgery, weak bladder, or other OF ailments one hear on pig farm net.

    Pig farm net not like Leche when Leche contest on official pig farm net frequency given special to pig farm net by FCC, A-R-Double-L, and special note from Pope in Rome. Pig farm net freq in use by pig farm net even when pig farm net ops asleep during daytime. Is mystery for Leche, but pig farm ops have but one crystal for radio.

    Leche turn up mic gain and CQ, work many QSO on pig farm net frequency.

    Leche need go store now for more cactus juice - Thank Macho for remind Leche.

    Leche Dinero

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