Hi Carter,
Well, I too use a dipole (well, a half-size G5RV), and there is no way I am
going to win a contest!
Plain and simple.
Yes, I do agree that there is the "local" aspect to it, and I myself have
walls full of "1st Place GU" certificates. That isn't difficult, as I have
been the ONLY op from GU in RTTY contesting for some time.
Personally, I quite like the RWRL, and use that as a means of spurring me on
to better scores. For me, RTTY contesting is a personal challenge, nothing
more. I really enjoy the fun aspect, and I am not worried about where I
place.
I could also argue that my GU prefix is a bonus in itself!
As for the limitations, well, that is subjective. If the contest sponsors
create a new category, one way to do that would be to limit the SO1R ops.
I doubt that many organisers would wish to create a "super league" of top
contestors, as that may reduce the number entering. I am sure that some folk
don't like being singled out as EXPERT in the BARTG spring.
For me, not being able to hop around the bands to pick up mults means a lot
more thinking. For example, I may see a spot on 10m for a juicy DX, but I
have to wonder if it is worth then being stuck on 10 for 5 or 10 minutes,
when maybe the band isn't at it's best.
Not being allowed to use the cluster is another way of slowing SO1R's down a
bit, although whether it is a real problem is debatable.
My thoughts were simply that contest sponsors are more likely to cripple
SO1R's than they are to create a "super group" for SO2R.
These are just my own thoughts, and I am not trying to push anyone in a
particular direction. However, I do think that some folk would be better off
spending a few extra dollars on a better antenna than buying that second
radio. And some would be better off if they actually read HOW to set up a
soundcard!
73 for now, and someone better get those boxing gloves ready for Dayton!
Phil GU0SUP
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