[CQ-Contest] m/m and the ops

[KL7RA Fairbanks Alaska]

While pondering Gary's multi-op contesting questions for his NCJ
column I decided there are probably no one correct or best answer
for any of the questions. The answers change as the location,
contest, and hardware variables change.  

However after 30+ years of multi-op contesting I do have opinions
on owners and the operators.  

First and foremost the operators of a multi-multi are the most
important part of the station. Regardless of the station's hardware
if the team is poor or can't get along with each other then the
station is poor. 

Having said that the station owner should provide the best possible
conditions for a successful competition. People that are going to
spend the weekend away from their families and their own stations
should at least have the tools to have fun. Contests are fun if you
can make qsos. Stations that have not been maintained properly or
lack the proper tools for competitive contesting cause operator
problems. If people are making contacts (having fun) from a smooth
running station then their enthusiasm will combine with the rest of
the team for a great time.

Not all people with ham tickets are good contest operators. It has
been my experience that some people just never get "it" regardless
of the training. In most contests there is a place for everyone
regardless of their skill level. A good "boss" can maximize the
score by making correct assignments or corrections with minimum ego
damage. 
      
The number of operators for a M/M contest is probably predicated on
how many will show up Friday more then design. Some of our best
scores have been made using less people then more. With fifteen or
more ops we have a lot of fun, but the score suffers as good ops
are relived by average ones. Most stations never have enough good
operators regardless of its size or location. New M/M contest
stations usually burn out the locals after a few years. Using
operators from the local club to fill chairs looks good in magazine
pictures, but is reflected in station preformance.  

The hardest thing to do as the M/M owner is ask someone not to come
back. Anyone with some time in M/M contesting knows what I'm
talking about. However I strongly disagree with any owner that
doesn't ask someone to return after they have damaged something by
error. Equipment failure by error is an assumed risk. If this is a
problem for the owner then they should not play the game. Period. 

The M/M station owner that believes operators should feel
privileged to operate his station is in error. Contesters that
feel owners couldn't possible find a way to win without them are
also in error.

After every M/M contest I do two things. I hold a post-contest
debriefing with the operators. One of the topics is making a list
of things that they think would have improved the score. Everyone
contributes which often leads to some spirited debates. The
conversations are fun and relaxing. They often provide the "fuel"
for the next "big" one.

The second thing I do is thank each one personally for operating my
M/M contest station regardless of their skill.

73 Rich  KL7RA  

p.s. The sub-arctic doesn't support radio conditions for M/M
contesting during the "lean" years, but stand-by for WPX 99. 
 ...WE WILL RETURN...


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