A perfect example of the dual nature of FD occurred at the W6YX class 5F
operation Saturday afternoon. This was a very competitive effort, but at
one point while I was on 40CW, I overheard W6LD spending several minutes
talking to a couple of kids whose father had called in on 15 phone. Each
kid got on the mike, and I think one of them was only four years old -- they
were obviously thrilled at the contact. John was very encouraging to them
and didn't treat it as a waste of time, even though it certainly cut into
the run rate.
73, Andy, AE6Y
----- Original Message -----
From: "Guy Molinari" <guy_molinari@hotmail.com>
To: <n4gi@tampabay.rr.com>; <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FD observations and suggestion
>I think this is one of those arguments where everyone is right.
>
> 1) The charter for the Amateur Service includes (among other things),
> creating a pool of trained radio operators who can assist during times of
> emergency. The goal of FD seems to be in line with this.
>
> 2) Contesting helps build the necessary operating skills. It's not
> enough
> just to set up the equipment under adverse conditions. You actually have
> to operate.
>
> 3) The secondary (yet critically important) aspect of FD is to have fun.
> This helps recruit new blood into ham radio. The problem is that each of
> us has a different definition of what fun is. In my club, there is a
> group
> of hard core contesters. Fun is defined as "getting a rate fix" (pardon
> the druggie humour). Even these guys (myself included) enjoy the social
> aspects of this. Another group sees the whole event as an opportunity to
> socialize with family and friends in a ham radio club setting. This
> involves eating, sitting around the campfire, trying out a new unfamiliar
> mode, whatever.
>
> IMHO, a good club should meet all of these needs, but there are clubs that
> specialize as well. There are a number of large contesting clubs in
> every
> corner of this country and large parts of the world. These specialized
> clubs (at least the larger ones) host a FD effort.
>
> The Mike and Key club here in Seattle is a large vibrant club that meets a
> broad range of needs. There is plenty of good natured ribbing (hard core
> CW
> contester types vs. laid back SSB guys).
>
> I don't think the D class folks should be excluded, but I do think that
> there should be an INCENTIVE for getting out in the field. IMHO, it
> probably is bad form to run if you are D class, but if you are in the
> field
> you probably should run most of the time anyway.
>
> It's all good.
>
> 73 - Guy, N7ZG
>
>
>
>
>>From: n4gi@tampabay.rr.com
>>To: cq-contest@contesting.com
>>Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FD observations and suggestion
>>Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:22:47 -0400
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Kelly Taylor <ve4xt@mts.net>
>>
>> > I can't help but think that maybe it's just us who sees FD as an
>> > opportunity
>> > for some serious contesting.
>>
>>Where I am, I think several of the local clubs frown upon "corntester"
>>field day attendance. Some have resorted to doing "secret field day"
>>where the final location is only released to "invitees" on the day of
>>the event! Good way to thwart contesters?? There are still some good
>>groups, you just have to find them.
>>
>>73,
>>Blake N4GI
>>
>>
>>
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>>CQ-Contest mailing list
>>CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
>
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>
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