I can still remember my first VHF contest back in 1995. I had just been
invited into the Packrats. I remember having a 2 meter beam on the roof of
my single story house and listening to the likes of K2GAL,K2SMN,W1RJA,W1HAD
and K2TXB working stations 400 miles plus and not hearing anything other
than noise when they turned the qso back to the distant stations. Shortly
before the contest I erected my first tower a 90 foot self supporting
monster. I was on 5 bands and I couldn't wait for the results to be
published in QST. It seemed like it took forever to see the results. I
placed third in my division and my desire to see my call move up through the
ranks to the top three in the US was fueled by wanting to see my call in
QST. From my perspective seeing your call in print is far more rewarding
than some web page, no matter how good the web page design and layout are.
It is my personal opinion that there are other future VHF contest operators
out there that will never experience what I felt seeing the listings,
analyzing other stations scores and then watching myself improve and knowing
your peers are taking notice. The web just doesn't have the same feel to me
as seeing your call in print in QST. However this will not deter me from
continuing to strive to improve my station and operating techniques. You see
I have all ready been motivated but what about the other new up and coming
VHF contest operators that are out there?
73 and Take Care. Bill AA2UK
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