[CQ-Contest] QST and Contests - My Thoughts

[Jeffrey Clarke]

 I really don't believe that contest results really take up all that
much space in QST every month. The ARRL DX and Sweepstakes results take
up some room when they print them but that's due to the popularity and
the long tradition these two contests have. Field Day - Isn't this an
operating event, not a contest ? That being said I am trying to think
of what other ham activities are being left out because of all those
pages of contest results that are wasting valuable space ?

How about :

Satellite Operating -  It sounds like fun but it involves specilized
(and expensive) equipment and some technical knowledge that the average
ham might not possess. Plus most of the birds up there have problems.
Is it really worth the investment now?

Repeaters : There seem to be a lot of repeaters here in Columbus,OH but
most of the time no one is on any of them. I guess this can't be all
that popular anymore ???

Digital Modes- This seems popular but most of these guys are always
DXing or doing contests. Are there that many guys ragchewing ??? Seems
to be that would be pretty boring... like watching the news flash by at
the bottom of the screen on CNN Headline News ! 

Packet : Mostly used for traffic handling or DX clusters. Nothing all
that exciting ??? You just set it up and leave it running.

Traffic Handling - See Packet

Ragchewing - It's a popular ham past time but what could you print in
QST about this ???

Public Service - It's popular but do you want a whole issue of QST on
this ??? Plus they always have a section on it in every issue...

VHF/UHF/Microwaves/EME operating - The only time there is lots of
activity is during a contest ? Plus how many guys do you know who could
put a giant dish in their backyard ??


I think I covered most of the popular ham activities and still can't
figure out what they would use all that free space in QST by cutting
out contest related stuff....

Maybe contesters are a minority when you count of the number of ARRL
members but the truth is that they are the ones (along with DXers)that
are the most active on the air and are the ones who are buying the
products that are being advertised in QST. DXing and contesting have to
be the most popular ham activities. I go to Dayton every year and for
years the contesting and DX forums are usually overflowing with
attendees... The same goes when you go downtown the the Crowne Plaza
for the DX and Contest dinners and the suites, which are all sponsored
by contest or DX organizations. I can't believe the ARRL can't see this
????


              Jeff KU8E  - ARRL Life Member since 1980


PS : my comment on the statement K8MR made :

"If CQ Magazine can sponsor and publish what is arguably the biggest
and best contest in the world, plus several others as well, with unpaid
volunteers, why do are we paying people to do the same thing?"

 You get what you pay for.... I never have had to wait YEARS to get a 
plaque or certificate in an ARRL sponsored contest... Plus the staff
in charge of certificates at the ARRL know VP2E is "Anguilla" and not
"St Kitts" unlike the person from CQ who set me a certificate back in
the mid-1980's....





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