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

[Philip F. Krichbaum]

Pete,
	Since I first started contesting in the late 1950's the CQWW CW has
usually fallen on the USA holiday Thanksgiving weekend followed by the
ARRL 160m and then the ARRL 10m. This year there is a weekend free
in-between which is unusual. Once in a long while CQWW CW is not on
Thanksgiving weekend. CQWPX CW normally falls on the USA Memorial Day
holiday weekend at the end of May. CQ wonders why USA participation in
both these contests is down, especially the WPX CW but they have not
changed the dates. With CQWW CW it would be difficult to change the date
because it is normally surrounded by other major contests. With WPX CW
this is not the case and conditions would probably be better if the
contest was held earlier. There is no reason I see that the two WPX
contests need to be separated by two months. I have passed over the WPX
CW several times because of activities of the holiday weekend that marks
the beginning of summer in the USA. I know that many USA operators find
their participation in both these contest either limited or none because
of the conflict with the holidays.  
	One must remember that these are USA only holidays and both these are
World Wide Contests even though they are sponsored by a USA Magazine.  
	73 Phil N0KE
	
	
	
Pete Smith wrote:
> 
> 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?
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> 
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