[CQ-Contest] About the ARRL, the trash talk and a possible solution

[W4PRZ at aol.com]

 It is sad when an organization, like the ARRL, one that is supposed to 
represent the interest of all its members, does not even consult it's 
constituents with what they think about something before they make a change. 
I can tell you that around here (Charleston, SC Area) that a lot of Hams are 
making grumbling noises against contesting. They just don't like to be shut 
out of a band by someone calling, "CQ Contest." I have tried to change their 
minds telling them that they should try contesting, they might just like it, 
that they might just be able to pick up that Grid, State, Country, or 
whatever it is they need for their collection, during a contest. I believe 
that probably more emphasis is needed for education about contesting to the 
new ham just getting into the hobby. Maybe when the Technician Question Pools 
are revised again, some questions on Contesting might be appropriate. That 
way their first impressions are positive and not formed by the ranting of 
some disgruntled individuals they hear on their local repeaters. 
 That's the way it's been going, and if there's gonna be some changes made it 
will have to come from the ones that want to promote, possibly save, their 
favored aspect of the hobby.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear of a day when running, (monopolizing 
in some minds), a frequency could be thought of as to not be in good amateur 
practice. This is just some of what I've heard said about contesters on some 
of our local two meter machines after the contests have ended on the HF 
bands. Folks, it ain't pretty.
Just my two cents. 

73,
John W4PRZ
Summerville, SC


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