New Rules for Global Networking in Contests

One of the most interesting statements coming from the Pacific Northwest DX Convention this weekend was the commentary around coming to terms with "Internet" stations located around the globe and how they should be treated in a contest.The deal is, networking software allows stations to be anywhere on the planet if designed correctly.WriteLog, for example, has an "Internet" option for networking that was specifically created for the IARU contest when the ARRL Headquarters station was to be located in Texas. The twist: instead of all the radios and antennas being located on a single property, the hams thought to take the best contesting stations by band across the state, network them as if they were one station and have them work their band for the contest.All of the stations were connected via the Internet and there was real-time updating of the scores, passing of multipliers, and frequency location for each of the stations on the air around the state.The deal is, this isn't limited to states. The limitation is the planet. If there is Internet access, this can be done around the globe.So, the technology is there. Stations will connect with each other during the contests. The real issue here is: how does contesting embrace the technology? How to create contesting classes that promotes globe trotting to a contest location where the scores actually count?It's an interesting question. And, for any of you that think this is unfair as teams will go to the high point areas and operate to win, contesting as it stands is unfair based upon geography and your point in the sunspot cycle anyway.The real question is: how to embrace this technology to increase participation on the air during contests?Increasing participation on the bands is the ham radio winner. Nothing like a lot of activity on the bands to prove their worth. Nothing like taking networking technology to a new level to show how ham radio is different -- and needed.What do you think? Care to partner up with a contester in EU plus JA plus Africa plus Stateside to have a team contest? It's really interesting.Scot, K9JY