Ulli,
I suspect it is tough to be competitive (SOAB) for under $3K unless you're a
really good scrounger.
SOSB may be easier, although taking first would still put you up against some
very impressive rigs and antennas. 40 and up you'll be competing against
rotating arrays. 80 and 160 may be more level playing grounds as few have the
real estate for decent antennas.
Certainly you can buy a decent used rig that would be very competitive for
under $2K, maybe even under $1K. Used antennas seem cheap, particularly
yagis... Wire antennas can play really well on the lower bands.
Sometimes it's a matter of luck... skills and location are very important, but
as Napoleon might say, give me a operator who is lucky ;o)
I do find it interesting to think about the folks who put hundreds of thousands
of dollars and time into technical marvels (and they really are) for a plaque
that costs less than $100 and the prestige (or bragging rights). Competition is
a funny thing... I'm sure there is a Doctorate thesis in there somewhere ;o)
Some of the fun for me is with the folks I compete with, we have a bond and
support each others efforts. Kinda like betting on the side at a horse race.
Beating your own best score is nice too, but it's more fun sharing the build up
and discussing it afterward.
I like reading the 3830 posts from folks, not so much the scores, but how the
event went. I particularly like reading the LP and QRP stories.
NS3T has some good stories too, on Radiosport.
73 & GL,
Julius
Julius Fazekas
N2WN
Tennessee Contest Group
TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/
Elecraft K2/100 #3311
Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366
--- On Mon, 12/1/08, Ulli Grunow <ulli.grunow@ospreyribs.com> wrote:
> From: Ulli Grunow <ulli.grunow@ospreyribs.com>
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Dollars/qso score
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 7:44 AM
> Dear contesters,
>
> Contest organizers.
>
> This is just something I was thinking about when looking
> through the scores
> of last CQWW CW 2008..
>
>
>
> I am ON5KQ, (op Ulli) operating a very limited contest
> station here in
> Belgium..
>
> Have just published my claimed scores (SOSB 40m) at 3830
> reflector.
>
>
>
> Seeing all the great score of great people it came to my
> mind, that there
> might be one factor for great contest results we never talk
> about.
>
> I just want to name it here once: the factor of money spent
> to achieve the
> result.
>
>
>
> I am not at all saying, that it is the most important
> factor - but I have
> never seen a below $3000 total cost station winning a
> contest !
>
> You may say it is trivial - with more input there is more
> output - yes,
> partly this is true and that's a way you can see it.
>
>
>
> >From a sports standpoint of view, I personally feel as
> if I try to become
> successful with an old Volkswagen in a Formule 1 race.
> should I buy a new
> expensive car te get in pool position next time ?!
>
> I certainly enjoy the many impressive websites of the major
> contest winner's
> - great to see ! Great technology and thank you for
> documenting and share
> your experience with dream equipment for almost everyone
> else.
>
> Sometimes there are Single OP's operating a super
> station build in many many
> years from Multi/Multi teams. Is that real Single Operator
> contesting ?!?
>
> Also the Multi/Multi teams spend many thousands of dollars
> into the
> hobby..their neighbor ham's might be never be able to
> do anything close to
> that, simply due to their very limited of even tight
> budget.
>
>
>
> So in what aspect we talk about winning the contest ?
> Biggest station,
> richest people ? Biggest equipment ?!?
>
>
>
> I am happy to find the Triband/wires only category in some
> contests.
>
> How about a total below $3000 dollar category ?!
>
> Single band entries half.
>
>
>
> My station is below $1500 incl. TRX !
>
> I am proud of my efficiency ..
>
> Want to hear/read about small stations with good results -
> stand up guy's !
>
>
>
> Ulli, ON5KQ
>
> www.on5kq.be
>
>
>
> P.S.: I am not against spending lots of money into our
> great hobby - just
> wanted to tell a different story.
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
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