Tony & Larry,

After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, yes, indeed. If you are running WSJT-X on FT-4 or 8 for RTTY RU you are by default operating and classified as SOU - Single Operator Unlimited. Probably applies to JTDX, et al. I am composing an email to Paul Borque at ARRL explaining my deep dive into the RTTY RU rules as written along with a suggested solution involving clarification of this matter. Maybe everybody else knows this and I'm just dense.

Per the rules: "Automated Multi-Channel Decoder: Device such as CW Skimmer software that provides information
about the identity and frequency of contest station transmissions while functioning independently of the operator’s direct control and participation. Software that displays multiple decoded signals at the same time is considered to be a multi-channel decoder."

My analysis concluded that a "Automated Multi-Channel Decoder" [WSJT-X] and "spotting assistance" are one and the same in ARRL land. Therefore; any device or software that decodes more than 1 signal at a time is "spotting assistance".

The bizarre part came when I found this:

General Rules for ARRL Contests Below 30 MHz:

"2.1.1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, Internet, multi-channel decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) is not permitted. Software that displays multiple decoded signals at the same time is considered to be a multi-channel decoder."

If I'm reading 2.1.1 above correctly, it says that use of multi-channel decoders is prohibited, software that displays multiple decoded signals at the same time is considered to be a multi-channel decoder and that spotting assistance being the same thing as a multi-channel decoder makes the use of software such as WSJT-X on FT-4 or 8 [[possibly others?] prohibited!

At this point, my issue with lack of clarity becomes moot.

The adventure continues.......................