Martin,
I really can't agree with much of the thinking below. For example, there was
never any intention that a low power category was meant for smaller stations
with poorer antennas. It is only what it is; a power equalizer. By your logic
QRP stations would be using mobile whips. If anything, the low power stations
need to be excellent to complete.
Deciding as a bigger station to compete low power is a perfectly legitimate
strategy choice. To quote Jack Welsh, "Compete where you have a competitive
advantage". No one ever said that contesting was supposed to be an equalized
sport with handicaps to strictly choose the best operator. Designing and
building a station is a lot of it. Choosing categories is part of it.
Choosing which contests to operate it part of it. Smaller stations have an
opportunity to put up better antennas. If they choose not to, so be it. If
there are obstacles preventing it, that is a shame, but don't expect rules to
fix it. Asking stations to qualify using "standardized" stations for a hobby
sport is just unrealistic.
By the way, WRTC has rules to prevent entering a "higher" category with less
competition to win against a more competitive category. Even in assisted, or
multi, you need to beat the SOH guy.
There is a lot more to competition than being the fastest S&P'er or best CW
pileup copier. And please note, I am a guy with a pretty small station (by
contest standards) saying this.
Level playing fields don't exist in this world. The rules knock down the
mountains. We are expected to climb the hills.
73,
Drew K3PA
-----Original message-----
From:Martin , LU5DX <lu5dx@lucg.com.ar>
Sent:Tue 11-10-2015 01:23 pm
Subject:Re: [CQ-Contest] WRTC qualifying (was Fwd: Re: Why some Caribbean
Islands compete as South America)
To:Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa@nbnet.nb.ca>;
CC:CQ-Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com>;
Thanks Mike,
WRTC is the #1 Radio Sport event to which most contesters would love to
attend. Even if it is not a as a competitor. Even if it is not as a
referee.
I had the opportunity of being in a team twice and nothing can describe
what you experience throughout those magic weeks during WRTCs.
However, I've seen some weird things happening during the last two
qualifying runs. Things like guys jumping from one category to another to
get more points than their friends make no good to our hobby, though those
situations are totally allowed by the rules.
Imagine a station that has tons of aluminum to compete against other high
power mates, entering LP against stations that have been traditionally LP
with modest antennas. Is that real competition?
Imagine someone that know a buddy will enter SOAB and changes to MS or
SOAB(A) because he/she has better chances of getting more points? Is that
real competition?
How can competition be fair if nothing is said about the type of the
antennas that are to be used when qualifying. WRTC is about a tribander and
some wires, but people are allowed to qualify with six tons of aluminum and
40-acre antenna farms...
There should be a way out to this.
I am not complaining in my case, just trying to point out the obvious,
despite the fact that it seems to be widely accepted (and allowed by the
rules).
Anyways, most of us enter contests not because of WRTC, but because we
simply have fun, and some of us, not even because we aim at a high
standing, but we only want to improve our own marks and goals.
If you think, because of the nature of most contests, that's the only 100%
true and valid competition (the one against yourself). I really believe
that's the philosophy of the vast majority of entrants. Nevertheless, we
still can provide them a more rewarding experience when it comes to
recognizing their efforts.
73,
Martin LU5DX
On Tue, Nov 10, 2015 at 12:26 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa@nbnet.nb.ca>
wrote:
> See my comments below LU5DX’s:
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> LU5DX said:
>
> That is true in part Igor. Despite the fact that WRTC was created to
>
> evaluate operators' skills, the qualifying run is held by taking into
>
> account the results of those events where mostly location, amount of
>
> aluminum, power and several other factors that are beyond what organizers
>
> can control, determine the final standings.
>
>
>
> I think that finding a better scoring system and probably other Contest
>
> "mechanics" like QSO/QSY which will reduce the effects of those factors
>
> that go beyond operating skills will be something really possitive for
>
> contesting overall. Otherwise, in the end, results are more proportional to
>
> the money that people can invest rather than skills.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Martin LU5DX
>
>
>
> Martin,
>
>
>
> You sir, are a very wise man ! * W O W *
>
>
>
> While it’s certainly true once you are in the WRTC tent, things are very
> fair as to have matched stations and antennas (especially in the last 2-3
> WRTC’s) it HASN’T been entirely fair to get there, now has it?
>
> Depending where in the world you live (if your WRTC zone has Mega or
> Superstations for example) and the depth of your pockets (how rich you are)
> Those 2 factors will certain affect your eligibility more than
>
> your skill level (I believe). Deep pockets allows you to build a huge
> station and/or go to rare locations where you can also get WRTC pts.
>
>
>
> I have never really paid attention until recently as my contesting has
> waxed and waned over the decades, but there sure seems to be a lot of
> REALLY loud Low Power stations since February.
>
> If you follow the WRTC rules, you know what I am referring to.
>
>
>
> Good post Martin. A real reality check. Am I complaining? Well, yes,
> yes I guess I am ! ;-)
>
>
>
> Mike VE9AA Verticals and dipoles/wires + 1 vy low tribander……WRTC Zone NA
> #7
>
>
>
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge, NB
>
>
>
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