In a message dated 1/21/02 9:12:49 AM Pacific Standard Time,
k4oj@tampabay.rr.com writes:
> HERE IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT
>
> A contester willing to help co-author a book correct operating
procedures...
>
> THIS IS AN ASSET we can offer up to the ARRL.
>
> What other positive things can the contest community do to assist our
> national organization so that it better serves us.
>
> Put something in the pot, we all have been taking from it!
In my way of thinking, this should be the SECOND book. The first should
be some kind of feature book that gets the competition, the challenge, the
magic of contesting across to the reader. There is a rich history of
contesting with lots of interesting DXpeditions, motley crews, and WINNERS
that emerge.
After people get their interest piqued, THEN they can read Contesting for
Dummies/Contesting 101 to learn how to DO IT.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
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>From Silver Ward" <hwardsil1@mindspring.com Mon Jan 21 18:41:22 2002
From: Silver Ward" <hwardsil1@mindspring.com (Silver Ward)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Telling About the Magic
References: <151.794f520.297da82a@aol.com>
Message-ID: <012c01c1a2ab$39bed6c0$b1e6bfa8@ward>
> In my way of thinking, this should be the SECOND book. The first should
> be some kind of feature book that gets the competition, the challenge, the
> magic of contesting across to the reader. There is a rich history of
> contesting with lots of interesting DXpeditions, motley crews, and WINNERS
> that emerge.
>
> Steve K7LXC
I am 100% in agreement. We spend an awful lot of time and energy
congratulating and ourselves and exulting amongst our own little group of
about 5-10k worldwide. That's less than 1% of the total world ham
population, guys. It's a great group, but like the religious cult that
practiced total chastity - it can't last without interaction outside its own
boundaries. The last time a major magazine covered radio contesting was
1954 or something (Sports Illustrated). If we're not a little more
broadminded, our next feature will be in the "Hobbies of the Past" column.
Let's take bowling as an example. Great sport, long history, wonderful
champions, and exciting matches. But it was in danger of extinction because
of incredibly poor marketing. A couple rollers from Microsoft bought the
entire PBA (for $5m) and are in the process of making it attractive to the
casual and non-bowler by bringing it forward it time about 20 years. Sound
familiar?
Has this ruined the sport and pushed out the existing champs? Hell, no!
The pros (read Top Tenners) are delighted with the new energy and audience.
But it required a change in the way business was done in the sport and
that's never an easy thing to accept or to get right.
I hope we don't wait until the whole sport is on the verge of extinction
before we wake up and reach out. It seems to me that the European
contesters are doing some great things - excitement and participation are
way up in zones 14, 15, and 16. What can we do to emulate their success?
For one thing (and I have made this point to my Director and to League
Officialdom), the national organization has to support the sport. Even
though it causes disruption, it's a vital, exciting activity that fills the
bands and is the kind of competitive event that is particularly attractive
to hams with that youthful energy (regardless of age). The league has to
stop mumbling about contesting and put it right out there in front with all
the other cool things to do on the air.
73, Ward N0AX
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>From K0HB H. Brakob" <HHBrakob@msn.com Mon Jan 21 18:14:26 2002
From: K0HB H. Brakob" <HHBrakob@msn.com (K0HB H. Brakob)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] What the ARRL Board did
References: <196.1620bd5.297da2fa@aol.com>
Message-ID: <006701c1a2a7$7fd3a720$9e271fcc@bigguy>
> However, due to the nature of the changes, the way the information
> got out ahead of the explanation, and the concerns expressed by
> some members, the board decided to wait until July to act on the
> recommendation.
Translation from "Board-ese".
"Because we got caught trying to slide one through
without consulting with the MEMBERSHIP, we're gonna
lay low until next summer."
With all kind wishes,
de Hans, K0HB
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