Gentlemen:
I do hope this post is not considered superfluous. I have entered the ARRL
160 every year but one since I moved to Texas. In that time, I have
finished in the top ten (SOLP) every time, but once, that I was able to
finish the contest. I have used either a shunt fed 70 ft crank up or 80 ft
shunt fed 45G and have never had, until late Spring 2009, an effective
receiving antenna. I work some DX, even get called by Europeans on
occasion, but I don't waste much time in that pursuit. I try to do a good
job of playing the hand that is dealt me, and I really enjoy it. I
currently hold the West Gulf Division record.
I would like to call attention to a couple of items: first, the rules
regarding awards.
Awards: Certificates will be awarded to the top-scoring QRP, low-power and
high-power single-operator stations in each ARRL/RAC Section and DXCC
country, and to the top-scoring multioperator stations in each ARRL Division
and continent.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see, in the rules, any mention of
an overall winner, top ten list, or anything like that. These lists result
from editorial policy.
Second, in the past decade or more, the League has added Regional Top Five
boxes to the contest write-ups. If my memory serves me, this suggestion
originated with Walt, W0CP, when he was on the CAC. This is an attempt to
recognize good contest efforts from west of the "cod-fish curtain". These
boxes are an important first step in providing appropriate recognition.
In addition to minor changes in the rules, the persons preparing contest
write-ups should make a conscientious effort to recognize exceptional
contest performance whenever and wherever it exists, rather than taking the
easy way out, concentrating only on the few top scores. Gary, K9AY, has
made this same suggestion and I will be interested to see how it works out.
He certainly has my support.
By all means, lobby your CAC representative. I certainly will.
Jim
W0UO
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160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M
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