Dear CQ WW CC

Dear CQ WW CC,

I’m pleased to see that the CC very carefully diagnoses logs for compliance to the rules. This can only be very beneficial to preserve our hobby.

I would prefer if the CC raises the points below as clarification requests for me to answer. A « one-side » examination of the log and cluster records is, very often, miss-leading.

Please see here below in Red my clarifications. I don’t see any proof below of not complying to the rules. I don’t see any valid reason to disqualify me for 11 « suspecious » spots.

I spot anyone everytime I want to let him know that I'm listening to him and still can hear him. I don't always know if he’s assisted or not. There is only handful of people I spot and most of them are my friends. And none of them ever asked me to spot them. Cheerleading - might be, self-spotting? Definately not!

My brother lives in Rostock, Germany. Why should I use all these “wrong technics” you mentioned below if I can simply ask him to spot me when I need

using his IP

My log has 3700 QSOs made along 44 hours ! You know the amount of effort put on this contest. I knew in advance that I’m ahead of any possible African competitor. I don’t need ANYONE to spot me and this is what I tell my 3V friends here! My IC-7300 has DVK and I enjoy automatic CQs to eat, dring and relax ! How many points would few spots add to my score. I won’t put in risk 2 years of competition for WRTC 2018 ! The benefit and risk are strongly disproportional.

I really hope you check carefully my answers below and revisit your decision since it will directly impact my WRTC 2018 qualification! All the points raised are clarified and are NOT proofs of self-spotting or asking someone to spot.

Again, thank you for your efforts and I look forward to hearing from you.

TU & 73

Ash 3V8SS/KF5EYY

De : Director Triumvirate [mailto:cqww.contest.committee@gmail.com]
Envoyé : dimanche 22 janvier 2017 18:02
À : ash.kf5eyy@gmail.com
Objet : Disqualification of your 2016 CQWW SSB entry

I am writing to inform you that the 3V8SS entry in the 2016 CQ WW DX SSB Contest is being DISQUALIFIED for use of self-spotting.

Under Section IX, General Rules for All Entrants < http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm >
4. Self-spotting or asking to be spotted is not permitted.

Based on our analysis, we see spots for you that must have come from someone within the station or working with direct information about your operation.

Generally, self-spotting occurs (i) soon after you start a new frequency, or (ii) when the QSO rate slows down. This clearly shows that the spots were done to help the score.

The station has used DX Cluster for Self-spotting and/or asked to be spotted and/or arranged contacts during the contest period not using the mode and frequencies of the contest.

BEGIN FILE ANALYSIS

Spots from DXSummit:

HB9EOU-@ 3686 3V8SS 00:40 29 Oct 16 tnx Gl

F5PUT-@ 7060 3V8SS 02:39 29 Oct 16

F3HU-@ 1895 3V8SS 04:38 29 Oct 16 faible

LX1EE-@ 7089 3V8SS 00:55 30 Oct 16

HB9CVC-@ 1837 3V8SS 03:32 30 Oct 16

HB9EOU-@ 7053 3V8SS 04:05 30 Oct 16 Go GO ASH !!!

HB9EOU-@ 3697 3V8SS 18:36 30 Oct 16

F4HJ D-@ 14182 3V8SS 19:24 30 Oct 16 CQWWDX

There are three spots “made” by KF5EYY (Ash, op. 3V8SS).

KF5EYY: 1834.0 HB9EOU 0330Z

KF5EYY: 7101.0 HB9EOU 0447Z

KF5EYY: 21260.0 HB9EOU 1344Z

At 0447 both are on 40m, but 3V8SS has his own run on 7053, HB9EOU is starting his run. At 1344z 3V8SS is on 14270 running good, HB9EOU changes band from 20m, to 15m. 3V8SS is the spotter and in communication with HB9EOU. Sending spots although claiming non assisted.

The spots came from IP number 196.176.13.62, Tunisian number of a mobile 3G/4G provider.

HB9EOU was a member of 3V8SM IOTA Contest activation team. I didn’t do contesting with him (I was in UK at the time) but he helped me buying a new radio (IC-7300) and we became very good friends. Like many friends that visited me, he spotted me when heard on the bands, just like DJ7IK often from DK0MM, DJ1AA, DL6RAI, etc. I spot HB9EOU using my call whenever I find him on the bands just like many friends since we were discussing the use of my IC-7300 in the contest. He was very loud here and easy to copy. Sending spots through mobile phone does NOT mean I’m assisted !

HB9EOU and 3V8SS QSO on 160m:

Reviewing the CQWW SDR audio file, the audio, which ends at 032946. At 032624 HB9EOU stops calling CQ on 1834.4, just lower of him is UW1M. 30 seconds later he calls UW1M, but no QSO. At 032751 3V8SS starts giving his call on 1834.4 at 032830 HB9EOU starts calling 3V8SS (he is not hearing him, they are transmitting at the same time), also 3V8SS does not hear, says again HB9EOU calls out time synchronization, somehow QSO completes. They knew how to find each other – communication by other means.

I indeed heard him and copied him (See attached the audio racording). I can tell you all the contact words (including Arabic words he learnt and said). I can also distinguish HB9EOU from several callers due to his special accent. We BOTH heard each other and there is no out time synchronisation. The statement above is wrong. Repetition is normal on 160 when you work a multiplier to make sure you’re in his log. You know that as contesters.

Spot that happen at bandchange:

QSO: 3676 PH 2016-10-29 0432 3V8SS 59 33 DL1WA 59 14 0

QSO: 1895 PH 2016-10-29 0439 3V8SS 59 33 OE8HAQ 59 15 0

QSO: 1895 PH 2016-10-29 0439 3V8SS 59 33 HA3DX 59 15 0

F3HU-@ 1895 3V8SS 04:38 29 Oct 16

F3HU spot came from IP 79.141.163.75 which is a number from Netherlands.

I have no clue who is F3HU and I’m not responsible if a French guy in Netherlands spots me.

Activity stimulator spot:

QSO: 7089 PH 2016-10-30 0048 3V8SS 59 33 DG2NMH 59 14 0

QSO: 7089 PH 2016-10-30 0053 3V8SS 59 33 NP3U 59 08 0

QSO: 7089 PH 2016-10-30 0053 3V8SS 59 33 F5BEG 59 14 0

QSO: 7089 PH 2016-10-30 0054 3V8SS 59 33 OK1HFP 59 15 0

QSO: 7089 PH 2016-10-30 0056 3V8SS 59 33 OK7O 59 15 0

LX1EE-@ 7089 3V8SS 00:55 30 Oct 16

Slow minutes around 0050, no QSO minute 0055.

LX1EE spot came 95.141.29.53, number from Netherlands, but host name is in Luxembourg.

Host : luxembourg-s01-i01.cg-dialup.net OK

Country : Netherlands

Both numbers are part of Kaia Global Networks, so they can also show as France IP.

LX1NO is manager of 3V8SS.

Please see the attached email from LX1NO before the contest (you can check that with him, OM Norby [lx1no@yahoo.com]). In his email, LX1NO was preparing for a 5km run on Sunday morning, I don’t really think he’s still wake up at 02h00 local time. Also, LX1NO is a very good QSL Manager, he check EACH and EVERY contact detail and reports NILs if required. All those who know him can tell you how much he respects ethics and rules.

Also, I started calling CQ on 40 at 0045 so that’s normal that the rate is slow (it’s the second contest night). It takes time on 40 to build up.

Spot at band change:

QSO: 3657 PH 2016-10-30 0324 3V8SS 59 33 F6FTB 59 14 0

QSO: 1834 PH 2016-10-30 0328 3V8SS 59 33 HB9EOU 59 14 0

QSO: 1837 PH 2016-10-30 0331 3V8SS 59 33 IO5O 59 15 0

HB9CVC-@ 1837 3V8SS 03:32 30 Oct 16

After the QSO with HB9EOU (band change from 80m) who is calling CQ on 1834kHz. Later spot few kHz away, starting 3V8SS a small run.

I have no idea why HB9EOU have used CVC callsign, he can still use his own callsign and he will be OK. After I did the QSO with EOU, he kept calling CQ on 1834 so I jumped 3 kHz up and started calling CQ intensively. 3 kHz in SSB is nothing ! Why shouldn’t he hear and spot me ?? We all tune up and down when we have no callers or we have QRM.

Other spots are not used directly at band changes, classic slow minutes when a boost (spot) is needed:

HB9EOU-@ 3686 3V8SS 00:40 29 Oct 16 tnx Gl

HB9EOU finds him (although his S&P moving rate is quite fast the minute before finding him, later he moves slower).

I have no comment on this. I don’t see any problem with that.

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0355 3V8SS 59 33 EA5DNO 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0357 3V8SS 59 33 PD2RF 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0359 3V8SS 59 33 SW3JH 59 20 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0402 3V8SS 59 33 DF3DY 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0404 3V8SS 59 33 PD7RF 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0405 3V8SS 59 33 F6HMQ 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0405 3V8SS 59 33 DM4MN 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0406 3V8SS 59 33 PS2T 59 11 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0406 3V8SS 59 33 R4RE 59 16 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0406 3V8SS 59 33 MD2C 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0406 3V8SS 59 33 EA3CI 59 14 0

QSO: 7053 PH 2016-10-30 0406 3V8SS 59 33 CR6K 59 14 0

HB9EOU-@ 7053 3V8SS 04:05 30 Oct 16 Go GO ASH !!!

HB9EOU is on 80m running and no appearance to run two radios. 3V8SS has slow minutes and a spot is needed.

The rate is very normal on 40m in the second night ! I don’t know if EOU rans two radios or just one ! Please ask him.

QSO: 3697 PH 2016-10-30 1829 3V8SS 59 33 IS0XDA 59 15 0

QSO: 3697 PH 2016-10-30 1837 3V8SS 59 33 YR8D 59 20 0

QSO: 3697 PH 2016-10-30 1838 3V8SS 59 33 OE2DXP 59 15 0

HB9EOU-@ 3697 3V8SS 18:36 30 Oct 16

HB9EOU is running a pretty good rate on 3758. It does not seem to run a second VFO. 3V8SS leaves the FRQ for a QSY on 160m returns and still no QSOs.

No comment, I see no problem. Please ask HB9EOU.

Spots are from 178.197.232.21:

Host : 21.232.197.178.dynamic.wless.lssmb00p-cgnat.res.cust.swisscom.ch

Country : Switzerland

HB9EOU is using multiple calls (also to spot himself), those are from Switzerland, but the behavior of the spots says both operators communicate when to send the spots.

The only point which could prove that, is the 160m QSO. I attached the audio recording and it’s clear that the QSO really happened as it should be without any assistance. All the other points (related to HB9EOU) are not valid and cannot be proofs of other-mean communication or ask for spotting occured !

Activity stimulator needed:

QSO: 1876 PH 2016-10-29 0227 3V8SS 59 33 S51A 59 15 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0232 3V8SS 59 33 PI4M 59 14 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0234 3V8SS 59 33 LY5W 59 15 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0238 3V8SS 59 33 EA1HTF 59 14 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0239 3V8SS 59 33 ON3GEO 59 14 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0240 3V8SS 59 33 EI7M 59 14 0

QSO: 7060 PH 2016-10-29 0240 3V8SS 59 33 HG0R 59 15 0

F5PUT-@ 7060 3V8SS 02:39 29 Oct 16

F5PUT came out of Tunisia: 196.176.29.71

F5PUT is a French amateur living in Tunisia (married to a Tunisian lady). He enjoys listening to me via SDR and his radio at home. He tries to support whenever I’m found in the cluster or heard. His email address : f5put [ff5put@gmail.com]

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 KF2O 59 05 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 SZ1A 59 20 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 LZ2FL 59 20 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 IK4PKN 59 15 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1924 3V8SS 59 33 N2MM 59 05 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1924 3V8SS 59 33 EA1AT 59 14 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1925 3V8SS 59 33 K2GAV 59 05 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1925 3V8SS 59 33 WA3C 59 04 0

F4HJ D-@ 14182 3V8SS 19:24 30 Oct 16 CQWWDX

"F4HJ D" came from Tunisia: 197.0.251.101

F4HJD is a Tunisian operator of 3V8CB, 3V8ST club station. He also holds an american callsign. He has a DXwatch alert when my call appears in the cluster.

There is a second source of suspect spots of 3V8SS. Those are done on the telnet cluster from two different IP addresses in Tunisia. Three spots, one is at band change, both calls were "not active" in the contest.

At bandchange:

QSO: 7091 PH 2016-10-30 2044 3V8SS 59 33 IU6EPI 59 15 0

QSO: 1894 PH 2016-10-30 2057 3V8SS 59 33 I0/S53R 59 15 0

KG5OUE 1894 3V8SS 20:56 30 Oct 16 CQ WW DX

KG5OUE is Ahmad Boubaker, Tunisian Operator of 3V8CB. He is listening to the bands and used to record me through SDR when I operate (check his Sound Cloud and hours of audio recordings I may supply). He spots whenever he finds me. I never asked him to do that !

Activity stimulator:

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1917 3V8SS 59 33 9A6RMI 59 15 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1917 3V8SS 59 33 YO3JW 59 20 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1919 3V8SS 59 33 IK3OYY 59 15 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1921 3V8SS 59 33 IW2IBG 59 15 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1922 3V8SS 59 33 EO25F 59 16 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 IW1RHR 59 15 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 KF2O 59 05 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 SZ1A 59 20 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 LZ2FL 59 20 0

QSO: 14182 PH 2016-10-30 1923 3V8SS 59 33 IK4PKN 59 15 0

KG5OUE 14182 3V8SS 19:21 30 Oct 16 CQWWDX

3V8CB 14182 3V8SS 19:27 30 Oct 16 CQWWDX

KG5OUE is USA call of 3V8CB, member of ARAT EC. He is NOT a member of the EC but just a member.

KG5OUE is Ahmad Boubaker, Tunisian Operator of 3V8CB. He is listening to the bands and used to record me through SDR when I operate (check his Sound Cloud and a hours of audio recordings I may supply). He spots whenever he finds me. I never asked him to do that !

The same IP shows up also at 3V8CB and KG5OUE spots through telnet: 197.0.251.101

For KG5OUE there is a second IP number, but same ISP: 197.2.86.149

The firm is a DSL internet provider (IP number change at DSL reconnect).

All used calls are connected, the actual person know each other: HB9EOU, HB9CVC, F5PUT, F4HJD. EC memebers of ARAT.

See: http://3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=nLaJzJgfqsciu

(They operated IOTA Contest 2016 together as 3V8SM.)

http://amateurradiointunisia.org/?page_id=95

Most of those who spot me more than once during a contest are people I know or met (DJ7IK, DJ1AA, DL6RAI, HB9EOU, F5PUT, F4HJD, KG5OUE, etc.). That is the case for all other contesters. Those I never met or contacted in direct do spot me less or never unless my signal is strong or I’m very needed. I ONLY spot a rare DXPedition or a friend I know closely. The fact that these people spot me - when YOU think I need that (propagation was bad and slow rates are during the entire contest) – doesn’t mean that asked them to do so or I communicate with them. It simply means they are excited listening to me on the bands and that they wanted to do something to help. This is the case everywhere. As contesters, you know that. I should NOT be responsible for that or be disqualified because of it.

Considering the spots at band changes I am pretty confident that KG5OUE, 3V8CB and »F4HJ D« are the same person and those are 3V8SS himself. If not him, then with 100% certainty it is someone inside the station.

The only internet connection I have is through my mobile phone. We don’t have internet connection at the scout house ! (they are not that rich) You can write to the chief scout in Hammam Sousse, Mr. Majdi Laatiri : MEJDI LATIRI [majdi.laatiri@tn.teleperformance.com]. No one was in the club station with me ! This statement above is completely WRONG !

The second IP used (3G/4G provider), with the call sign KF5EYY is quite sure proof it is KF5EYY himself, from operating QSOs with HB9EOU and coordinated spotting .

Spots that came from Luxembourg, with two calls (F3HU and LX1EE) can be explained as the QSL manager of 3V8SS is LX1NO. No activity of those stations in the contest, so there is a high probability that the 3V8SS op was in communication with his QSL manager.

See above response and attachement from LX1NO !!! Conclusion is totally WRONG !

END FILE ANALYSIS

You have five days to appeal the disqualification and provide any information about your entry. After that time the decision is final.

Your entry is disqualified only for the 2016 SSB contest. You will be welcome to submit an entry in the CQWW Contest in 2017.

73
On behalf of the CQWW Contest Committee

Bob, W5OV; Doug, KR2Q; Scott, W4PA