[CQ-Contest] Contesting, Ham Radio and the Internet

[Mike Gilmer - N2MG]

On Sun, 13 January 2002, Pete Smith wrote:

> If competitive activities are so popular with the 
> young, why would the ARRL want to downplay and 
> virtually eliminate these components from QST's 
> coverage of amateur radio?

Good question.

I think radio contesting would be extremely popular 
with the young.  Unfortunately, it seems that we (not 
just the League) have been unable to capitalize.

It is certain that the ARRL feels pressure from 
some to abandon contests, since, after all, we all 
know just how *disruptive* contesting can be and God 
forbid the League be a party to any of it.  Taking out 
the lines scores might be perceived as a way to appease the whiners.

Sure, we contesters could all benefit from expanded 
coverage on the web (assuming it actually happens).  
Searchable scores, more photos, etc.  And... younger 
hams, who tend to also be Internet savvy, may actually 
get MORE exposure to contesting via the web.  

Most assuredly, I would miss the page after page 
of line scores.  Some might say that they do little to 
attract any new blood.  I disagree.  Sure, they might 
turn some off, but I remember when I learned that 
EVERY score got published, I thought, "I can get my 
call in print!"  Sticking it on a web site is so much 
more trivial.

Maybe I read K1RO's post differently than some, but 
Mark stated the ARRL intends to replace line scores 
with "write-ups" and promotional material.  So there's 
going to be some number of contest pages.  This is 
going to take more work (8 pages of scores are easier to generate than even a few pages of text).  If the 
ARRL is serious about replacing the line score pages 
with an even somewhat equivalent number of contesting article pages, I think it might be a net gain.

If, however, they simply relocate the scores to the 
web, and drop the ball on the articles, I'll be 
truly disappointed.

73 Mike N2MG

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