There are 2 important areas that many feel need improving in our sport -
1) The addition of new, young talent into the radio sport community
2) A fairer way of qualifying WRTC competitors
There have been numerous discussions over the years of how to encourage and
interest young people into the hobby given that the old days of
"communicating is cool" and ham radio was one of the few ways a young person
could take control of that and get involved, are over. Comments suggest
that group, physical, involvement with peers as well as real connection to
hardware like antennas are a way to do that. Seeing, participating, getting
fairly quick feedback, having a chance to actually compete, and seeing
others of young age, like them, involved all resonate as a success path.
Typically, many young potential hams/contesters find their way into a local
club as a starter once licensed. Its old, boring, and no competitive
environment. Its over before its starts for 99.99% who venture down that
route.
Many discuss their first exposure to potential amateur radio contesting fun
as Field Day - these occur in many countries - US, Canada, Russia, much of
the EU, probably others as well. Yet the typical field day set up is casual
and mostly old guys hangin' around. There are a few that would inspire
interest in radio sport but often there the serious nature of the activity
is less promoting of showing a youngster the ropes at a competitive level.
At the WRTC qualifying level, the consistent claim is that the ability to
qualify clearly requires talent, however, a very talented competitor that
does not have a world class station in the right location for their
qualifying region has virtually no chance of qualifying. Despite how good
he or she may be.
I believe there is a chance to bring these 2 issues together. A proposal
for consideration and discussion:
1) Change the way WRTC qualifying occurs after the 2018 event. Have it
occur as field day set ups during field day for that country. 2 person
teams if that's what going to continue as the competition. The team
competes and qualifies or not as a team. Local countries form a sanctioning
and oversight group to insure fair play. The simpler the antennas the
better (40 ft push up pole and 20, 40, 80M dipoles would be my suggestion).
2) Have 20% of the slots go to 25 and under teams. At least 1 per
country/region.
3) Get the word out through social media and science teachers at the
middle school and high school level to encourage the under 25 set.
4) Have the results tallied separately and quickly by the sanctioning
body of the country and publicized through social media. No connection to
actual Field Day results. In fact, a more interesting scoring system should
be considered (such as States as multipliers in the W/VE version of Field
Day - contest within a contest just as WRTC 2014 did).
5) Consider having WRTC itself be much simpler in set ups (like this
qualifying suggestion) and occur every 2 years instead of 4. Simpler,
cheaper, more frequent - to foster the flow of competitors, especially the
younger, more instantly gratifying, crowd.
The above fosters peers, social, action, exposure, real competition,
simplicity and frequent interaction. It would require the WRTC to change
its current process for the future and at least one, hopefully many,
sanctioning contesting clubs in the key regions and countries to agree to
provide sufficient oversight so as to insure fair competition.
A minority of slots for WRTC would have to be qualified differently where
large countries or regions do not have a conducive field day structure.
My hope is that clubs discuss this. WRTC discusses this. Competitive radio
sport enthusiasts discuss this. And the younger crowd among us comment on
its ability or lack of ability to address the current old, boring impression
that so many get of our great hobby and sport.
73
Ed N1UR
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