Is it better to "lose", that is come in 2nd or 3rd or 4th place, having done your very level best... or is it better to "win" (come in first) regardless of what you did to get there?
I would think that the answer to that is a no-brainer. Right now, I'm not so sure.
The context of this... well, there's a discussion ongoing on the DX CHAT reflector that I adminsister for the NJDXA regarding certain operating practices. One specifically mentioned was a few stations that, during last weekend's ARRL DX CW contest, would send an automated, continual CQ... and never answer anyone. In fact, even if you zero beat them, and matched their keyer speed, you'd get maybe one or two characters of your call out before the CQ would start again. [Yes, maybe they didn't hear you, but that's not the issue]
I have since received a PM from a list member who insists that "all's fair in love-n-war" and then berates me for believing in proper operating technique. He also specifically tells me "if u want to win...so...do what u can".
I know it's a prevalent attitude, especially amongst the so-called contest elite. And maybe I'm old fashioned. Personally, I have to look at myself in the mirror and sleep at night; winning by cheating, or by skirting the rules, or by deliberately doing something to harm another's chances... no.
But that's me.
What would YOU do?
And if you're not a contester, as many of you aren't... then as a DX'er, or county hunter, or just in general operating practices.
Does anything go?