[CQ-Contest] Why I Won't Be in CQWW CW This Year

[andrew]

Whilst I have sympathy with Petes circumstances and can understand his
frustration, I believe that CQWW CW should NOT be changed from its
current date.

If I wanted, I could bring personal reasons into the argument as to why
it shouldn't change.  I work in England and travel to Northern Ireland
to do CQWW CW at GI0KOW each year.  I also return to GI for Christmas
with my family.  If the date were to be moved to the first weekend in
December, the contest could be as late as 6/7 Dec.  That would start to
get very close to Christmas and I would have to choose whether to do the
contest or go home for Christmas.  At the moment with a full month
between the contest and Christmas I can justify travelling both times.
So, moving the contest might suit some people but it could then turn out
to be unsuitable for a similar number of people as it is starting to get
too close to Christmas.  Also, getting time off work for CQWW *and*
Christmas could be a problem for many if they were only three weeks (or
less) apart.

Also, we all know the best propagation is to be had during the CQWW SSB
weekend and it deteriorates from that.  Moving CQWW CW a week further
away will mean, on average, poorer propagation.  I don't think any
serious contester really wants that!!

And finally, there is also the tradition aspect to be considered.  I
believe the CQWW CW weekend has not changed dates for at least 40 years
(the CW weekend used to be early November)!  If it's worked OK for 40+
years, how come it's suddenly broken?  Or is it just the vocal minority
it's broken for as the dates are fine for the vast majority of
participants around the world.  Remember, this is a world-wide contest
and the rule makers should consider the views and circumstances of all
the world-wide participants.


Andrew Williamson GI0NWG / AC6WI
Homepage = http://www.gi0nwg.freeserve.co.uk/

One of the ZL9CI gang
http://www.qsl.net/zl9ci/



In message <3.0.5.32.20011015082835.008e6a60 at pop.abs.adelphia.net>, Pete
Smith <n4zr at contesting.com> writes
>
>I love CQWW CW beyond all contests, bar none.  but I won't be participating
>this year, at least not seriously.  The reason?  As happens most years, the
>contest falls on the weekend immediately after US Thanksgiving.  This is
>the only major holiday this year that my son and his family will be able to
>visit us, and I'm not willing to choose CQWW over the chance to spend time
>with them.  In past years, I could argue to myself that they would be back
>at Christmas, but the grandkids are growing up, and this year they're
>planning Christmas at their home, not ours.
>
>This is all the more aggravating because it is so unnecessary.  On the
>following weekend, the first weekend in December, the only scheduled
>contests (according to WA7BNM's contest calendar) are the TARA RTTY Sprint,
>the Tennessee QSO Party and the QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint.  Which of
>these wouldn't switch with CQWWCW in a heartbeat?  So why does CQWW insist
>on maintaining the CW contest on Thanksgiving weekend, when another option
>is so readily available?  Tradition?  Fear of perturbing records set a week
>earlier?  Or just inertia?
>
>It's too late this year, but why not join me in asking the CQWW Committee
>to recognize the importance of family ties to the US participants and move
>CQWWCW to the first weekend in December, 2002?


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