[CQ-Contest] NAQP Rules - a different take

[David Jones]

Forgot to also send this to the reflector...

>  There is a big difference between power restrictions and restricting 
>  the number of radios one uses in a contest.  The latter requires more
>  skill than money.  N5TJ is case in point... Jeff has a single tower 
>  on a normal sized Texas lot.  He beat Eric, NM5M, at WX0B who was 
>  using multiple towers and stacked monobanders.  So to use the 
>  argument that money is defining issue in creating a new 2-radio 
>  single-op category is hog wash.  

I'll agree to some extent here.  Operator skill is the most important 
factor in contesting.  2 radio contesting is another aspect of operator 
skills.  I also agree that there should be no new 2 radio single op 
category.  However, there are some of us where money IS the issue.  I'm 
trying to figure out the best way to upgrade my station to have a 
computer, another radio, a keyer and paddles, and stuff like that all on 
$170 a month while trying to save some for going to college in 4 or 5 
years.  I'd like to try my hand at 2 radio contesting, my skills are 
nowhere near anyone else's on the reflector (just look at my scores) but 
it is an intriguing aspect of contesting.  

However, I don't believe anyone else or myself should be lobbying for a 
seperate class just because we don't have everything other people do.  
I've only been a semi-serious contester for only a year, and I have the 
utmost respect and awe for those people who can rip off 100-110/hr 
consistently.  My goal is to eventually be up in the Top Ten box, and 
while I probably won't be there for years and years, it is a long term 
goal I can shoot for.  What accomplishment would it be to be first in 
the "Single Op 100 watt low wire straight key inexperinced 1 radio 
(etc...)" class?  I'd rather keep the classes the way they are, and have 
a long term goal to shoot for. 

>
>  Lets put the cards on the table...  You guys who want to create a 
>  single-radio class are simply motivated by lack of desire to devote 
the 
>  required time and effort in learning a skill.  
>
>  You can create different category for me because I run different 
power, 
>  live in a different area, dont use packet or other operators, etc.  
But 
>  dont reclass me because I am willing to work harder at winning.  
That's 
>  the name of the game gentlemen.

Absolutely perfect point.  There are 2 aspects to 2 radio operation. One 
is the initial hurdle, the money to get the radio.  I'll probably go buy 
a second TS-530 or even something worse.  The second aspect is what 
Bill's talking about, the skill of listening to 2 radios at once.
In that aspect, I very much agree with Bill's comments.  Don't reclass 
just to suit people who do not want to strive to new heights.

73


David Jones, KK7GW   QRP-L #1350
kk7gw at hotmail.com


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