I agree on how to try to get more people into it.
I have had limited success here, but it's worse than pulling teeth.
Once a ham has been licensed for more than a year or two then it gets
for some reason very hard to get them to even try it. Once you get them
in the shack and try it, I have had a like 75% or even more retention
rate that they find it a lot of fun and continue to do it for years down
the road. but the problem is getting them to even try it. Most think
they can not do it. Granted a CW contest is for the most part above
many many heads especially newcomers. They just can not go that fast,
and sad to say many contesters won't slow down enough to work them. But
a phone contest anyone can do.
Where I had the best results in getting new blood into contesting is ham
radio classes, if a class is happening and a popular contest is coming
up, ask the people giving the class if you can give a short
presentation about contesting and invite everyone in the class to come
and operate.
99% of them will show up, they are super excited already about getting
their license, and being able to operate with privileges higher that
what they will be getting is even more a plus never mind a larger
station than they probably will have also.
I've done this and like if the class has a dozen students, usually at
least ten show up for the contest! and most if not all have a blast and
at least 9 of the original 12 keep contesting once they get their license.
What I'd like the contest community to do is to come up with a nice
power point presentation, about contesting, and why it's good to do,
that we all could use at club meetings, license classes etc.
i'm terrible at that otherwise I'd make one up.
Joe WB9SBD
W9ET Driftless Zone Contesters
The Original Rolling Ball Clock
Idle Tyme
Idle-Tyme.com
http://www.idle-tyme.com
On 9/17/2010 3:24 PM, Warren C. Stankiewicz wrote:
> When does this all stop?
>
> Before long, we'll have people crying that those who have pacemakers are
> receiving "assistance", not to mention people who use bronchial dialators
> (more breath for phone operating, after all). If your significant other
> brings you coffee and a sandwich, and rubs your shoulders, should that
> count? After all, it's going to affect your score.
>
> While I may admire this puritanical streak many in the hobby has displayed
> over recent years, I still feel this energy is misplaced. We still would all
> be much better served by finding more ways to get more people to operate in
> contests than debating how many assistants can dance on the head of a pin.
>
> With malice towards none,
>
> Warren, NF1J/6
>
> _______________________________________________
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> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
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>
>
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