Dave,
While I do argue with the 2018 organizers on the Assistsd/Non Assisted
issue, I fully support the decision to elevate WAE and RDXC to the same
level and CQWW and CQ WPX.
Why?
Simply becuase those two contests are globally considered much bigger than
they are in some continents..I do consider the CQ contests superb and they
will forever remain as two of my favourite Top Five contests. However,
without question, WAE and RDXC have in late years become even more fun to
participate in - and this not only to Europeans and Russians. They are now
by me and many others considered at same popularity level as the CQ
contests.
RDXC is not a regional contest. It is a Worldwide contest where Russians
compete separately and the rest in a worldwide group. Working DX stations
is heavily stimulated by different points compared to working stations from
the same continent. The log checking and penalties system requires better
operator skills compared to some other contests where the contest echange
is more or less given. In RDXC, you nned to make sure you receive both the
other stations's callsign and exchange correctly. Moreover, you must
moderate your speed in a way that ensures that the other station also gets
your call and exchange correctly. If not, penalties for both of you. I know
this has caused some US frustration, but in my honest opinion, this develop
and stimulate true operator skills rather than skills of relying on the
database of the log program.
WAE used to be a contest I did not pay attention to because of QTCs. They
bothered me because I did not feel I was control of them. It was a new way
of contesting and I was against and did not work WAE for many years. Then I
gradualy started working it with pleasure but always avoiding exhange of
the "troublesome" QTCs. One day I decided to open my eyes and challenge
myself to try echanging QTCs. From that day I got stuck! The skill-set
needed to work WAE in full extent by exchanging QTCs is different from
normal contesting and the operator that masters that additional complexity
of WAE should definitely receive the same credits as the one that runs 300+
rates exchanging predictable zones in a CQWW.
It is time for Americans to finally explore RDXC and WAE in a serious way
and with 1000 points value, be sure the bands will be boiling also in North
America those weekends. Run rates in RDXC are excellent for any station
participating - for sure not only for Russians. Particpate and enjoy
instead of maintaining a prejudiced opinion about these two great events!
73 de Mats RM2D (SM6LRR)
2014-12-02 23:15 GMT+03:00 David Siddall <hhamwv@gmail.com>:
> The difference in rules between WRTC2014 and WRTC2018 that struck me was
> that the prior emphasis on worldwide contests while accommodating the major
> regionals was abandoned.
>
> For WRTC2014, only CQWW received full 1000 value, with CQWPX at 950 and
> IARU at 900. Major regional contests such as ARRL, Russian, WAE, AA were
> 900 or less. But for WRTC2018, instead of elevating the truly worldwide
> contests -- CQWPX & IARU -- the organizers instead emphasize European
> regional contests -- WAE and Russian -- both of which now get the top 1000
> value.
>
> This is a step backward from promoting worldwide competition. It elevates
> two Euro-centric competitions with less participation above the more
> popular worldwide contests as well as above the other major regionals such
> as ARRL and AA. Having lived in areas of the world where propagation
> doesn't support full time efforts in the regionals (whether or not one can
> "work anyone" but for fewer points/mults), I appreciate the truly worldwide
> competitions that we have. It says something that these rose to the top in
> popularity in the free marketplace of contests.
>
> Just my observation.
>
> 73, Dave K3ZJ
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>
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