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Re: Topband: My take on ARRL 160

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: My take on ARRL 160
From: Mike Fatchett W0MU <w0mu@w0mu.com>
Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:51:42 -0700
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
I didn't realize that 160 and all its challenges to get on this band 
with a decent xmit and receive antennas was the birthplace of new 
contesters.

On 12/4/11 8:39 AM, Herb Schoenbohm wrote:
> On 12/4/2011 11:09 AM, Eddy Swynar wrote:
>
> Rather than decry the format of the event, why not celebrate it as a 
> potential birthplace for to-morrow's contestors...?
>
>
>
>
>
> Eddy....I will tell you why......The ARRL 160 is and always has been a 
> disappointment in turn out and DX.  Not so much that it treats the amateurs 
> in the U.S. Territories as second class hams, but the fact that it not even a 
> challenge as a radio competition to participate in.  For station only miles 
> away in VP2V there could be some interests but even there they are prohibited 
> from working any real DX  and must EPA in the log a zillion times.  At least 
> their results will get listed in the QST published results if they get on for 
> more than a few hours.
>
> In a contest that scores KH0, KH8, KH2 (and alll the other U.S. possession in 
> the Pacific  in the same category as Hawaii just makes no sense.  It appears 
> the ARRL/CAC is infactuated with the ARRL sections thing.  But wait, they 
> have the ARRL Sweepstakes and that covers 160-10 and excludes DX.
>
> Now if you want a contest design that as you said "celebrates it as a 
> potential birthplace for to-morrow's contestors,"  I would ask you only to 
> compare the Stew Perry Topband Distance challenge.  This is a superb model 
> and allows competition of all types of entries where low power and QRP get 
> significant boost, especially if you work one.  The SP is not designed to 
> molify someones ego at Newington with this EPA thing but rather serves as a 
> fair and balance competition designed for 160 meters by 160 meter operators.  
> Remember years ago when Charles O'Brian, W2EQS (sk) came up with the CQ 160 
> meter contest idea.  There is no question that it is one of the most popular 
> low band contests with the SP close behind.
>
> There is this sclerosis and atrophy, it appears, by those in charge in 
> Newington and the CAC members who really don't care that much about 160 
> meters.  So it is what it is, a bummer of a contest for most.  Why is it so 
> difficult for them to make a simple change in the rules to reflect what is DX 
> and what isn't?  Last night I got some raspberries for calling CQ EU only 
> even though there were two other KP2's active during the contest.  On Friday 
> night my call operated remotely from NYC gave out 100 mainland contacts while 
> I held my nose.  As far as the 160 meter ARRl DX contest is concerned, I just 
> quote Roberto Duran, "No Mas"
>
>
> Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

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