[CQ-Contest] Chiming in -- SO2R

[Eric Hilding]

Jim, W0UO/5 suggested:

 > The development of top ten lists, etc is no more than the editorial 
policy of the sponsoring
 > organization, and that can and should change.

WHOA!!!  I disagree...I think Top 10 lists are not only cool, they are 
highly motivational.

Case in point.

After 30 years of QRT from HF/DX/Contesting, when I got back on the air 
last November, my pal N6TJ/ZD8Z challenged me to a friendly "duel" in the 
2004 ARRL CW DX Contest, and prodded me to "go somewhere".  Gheeez, my code 
speed wasn't even up to 20 WPM yet, but Jim said it would be a real 
pee-poor showing if I didn't at least make the "Top 10".  Right.

So, for my 60th birthday present to myself, I accepting his challenge after 
being a "has been" (as he been calling me for years).  Just  yesterday, 
guess what came in the mail?  A nice certificate from the ARRL for "Ninth 
Place World - Single Operator High Power" and "First Place CW Virgin 
Islands".  Jim beat me from ZD8Z and came in Eighth, for which I gave him a 
well deserved award at Visalia.

Considering all the trials & tribulations going on in my life at the time, 
the mad dash to get my code speed up and learn a computer logging program, 
et.al, I'm glad I accepted Jim's challenge, and am grateful for him keeping 
after me for more than 20 years to get back in the game.  I hope to do 
better next time, having learned a lot from the myriad of mistakes made in 
my first full-blown contest effort in 30 years.

After a very slow start in the contest, it was the motivation of at least 
wanting to make the "Top 10" that kept me going (albeit I couldn't do the 
full 48 hours).  My new goal is for "Top 5" :-)

Take away the "Top 10" lists?  Respectfully, not over my dead body!!!  The 
Certificate which just arrived made my day.

73...

Rick, K6VVA