I am new to ham radio and have been using several VOIP radios, CQ100, Echolink, ETC. How are these supposed to be entered to avoid CHEATING on the awards, etc. I see an Echolink in special prop, but not CQ100, eQSO, etc. Can anyone help?

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KB3NPH Timothy Browning

I don't know about others but I don't consider internet assisted contacts as elgible for QSL confirmation even though I have and do use those systems. I feel they are just the same as internet chat rooms and not amateur radio QSO's. I don't even log them into a log. Maybe I'm a purest.

73,
Bruce, KØARY/VP9

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K0ARY/VP9 Bruce B Quayle Jr

I agree with you that internet assisted contacts should not be considered for contest, or other awards offered. That does take the fun out of amateur radio, however, Echolink and IRLP are both listed in the special propagation mode list when sending an eQSL card and I was wondering about other VOIP systems such as CQ100 and eQSO. It is fun, especially for someone who lives in an area where restrictions prevent putting up antennas, etc, to be able to qso and swap qsl cards from other amateur radio operators around the world. The VOIP systems give us that opportunity. I was just wanting to know how the eqsl cards can be sent or MARKED, to a VOIP contact so they DON'T get confused with or mistaken for LEGITIMATE RF contacts

Thank you for your comments

73, Tim KB3NPH

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KB3NPH Timothy Browning

I'm With you 100%Tim,I don't want credit for contacts for awards or contests but I do want them in a log and I want to exchanged QSL cards,either by NONE TRADITIONAL EQSL ! or with a REAL QSL CARD ! through the mail system. Either of which would be marked VOIP contact.
That said,I do injoy cranking up my spark gap generator,making a good contact,sending out one of my hand written with charcoal on birchbark QSL cards and sending it by pony express, once in awhile just for old time sake. HI HI!
Time marches on,lets keep up. as one of the great modern philosophers has said "To infinity and beyond". HI HI

73, Rich N1VMC Have a nice day God speed

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N1VMC Richard W David

To be considered a Valid Amateur Radio Contact and to be validated via a QSL, eQSL, LOTW or Toilet Paper... The contact and communications should have taken place via RF Energy from your QTH to THEIR QTH... Wether that be Microwave, Infared, HF, VHF, UHF etc... Simply put. But NOT by anytype of WIRE/LANDLINE/CABLE/STRING...73 - K0RU - Rob

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K0RU Rob - Kansas, USA

What if it's RF from me to some receiver and from some transmitter to the far recipient?

I tend to agree that it's not really ham radio to do echolink from my computer to some distant spot, but what if I use my handheld to operate an IRLP link on the local repeater to another repeater in Middlonowhere, Australia and chat with someone on a radio there?

I'm hard pressed to see a difference between that and the old manual repeater link system.

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VE3OIJ P. Darin Cowan

I wouldn't expect a QSL CARD for such a communications as your actually just talking to the local repeater, which then is taking it via Internet to the distant station. This is like when contesting the contest managers don't allow points for stations working other stations via a repeater... It's not YOUR station doing the work...

More specifically I supose its a reflection of yourself, your abilities and capabilities not of the communication but of the accomplishment that your recognizing with the QSL. Now... Don't get me wrong...

This is strickly an oppinion as such is open to much contraversery hi hi... however, If I were you and found this person to be the most entertaining QSO or Most accomplished or something about the individual was really worth having a memorable collection of then send an Acutall QSL CARD explaining your intent etc. For you see, he may just Blow you off thinking that the QSO was just that FUN but not note worthy for any awards etcs. Like the old days simply sending a card for fun such as a letter doesn't hurt, but explain it. If you just send a card, it may just end up in the TRASH...

73 - Rob - K0RU

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K0RU Rob - Kansas, USA