[CQ-Contest] ARRL v. contesters

[K3BU at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/7/2004 6:49:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
w7tmt at dayshaw.net writes:

>>It seems to me that if some folks spent as much time
MENTORING entry level Hams as they do BELITTLING them on
this reflector there might be enough HF Contest operators
around to get the (apparently) ever so precious line scores
back in QST. 
...and bla, bla<<

in response to:

>Why does 2m SOTB Ham need to read QST?
To find out how to press the PTT button?

Yuri<


Who is belittling them?
We are pointing out that ARRL philosophy of cutting out contest results, 
because of ham percentages (not considering $$$ value and benefit for advertisers) 
is shortsighted and wrong. Contest results, photos, write-ups are stimulating 
and a magnet for potential new hams - to get some "glory", seeing your call 
in the results and get encouragement for the next one.
Where is the stimulation in seeing picture of the tribander in the parking 
lot, weird street name, or guy with rubber duck on a helmet?
There is an example of this type of wrong philosophy from Japan. Where are 
all those entry level licensees? Puf, gone. 
If the new ham gets bitten by the bug of contesting, he will strive to make 
it into a big league, buy equipment, build the station, get better and most of 
all, he will be LONG LASTING HAM like most of us OF contesters. But that needs 
publicity, which is a small but real reward for us contest nuts. That's why 
we go to islands, put up crazy antennas and stick in there to do it better next 
time, or maybe crack the record (if it is publicized).

What stimulation is there for SOTB ham? He already knows how to push the 
button, why would he need to read QST? The magazine should reflect and stimulate 
interest and entice all hams to become contesters (OK, almost). Can you do that 
with killing the contest coverage?
Why would SOTB be eager to stay in their class, with all them cellphones and 
Internet around? Repeaters are dying, contesting is increasing, but QST is 
cutting the coverage. They don't get it, just like Democrats.
The point is what can you write for "entry level hams" at no end in QST to 
make them read it? Sadly quality of other and technical material is going down 
also (we don't build anymore, ...) 

Reminds me the story about the pretzel guy by the Lincoln tunnel. He was 
selling pretzels, freezing his butt off, had few carts going, put his son through 
the college, he got MBA. So he wanted him to take over the business, so he can 
retire. Son approached thing economically, scientifically, closed the least 
profitable cart down "streamlined" the operation. Then next one and the next 
one. There were none left, end of business. (Then Dell came on the scene and 
showed IBM how to sell computers :-)

As I mentioned before, ARRL is wrong in looking at percentages of hams doing 
this or that. They should be looking at the purchasing power and striving for 
increasing quality of material and coverage in the magazines. 

Speaking of CQ Magazine, I miss the continental record listings for single 
band categories. Can we have them back please?

160m CQ contests are coming up, one can have fun with IC706 and spool of wire 
from Bahamas or other warm spot, while making it into top box and making XYL 
happy too. I did it as C6AYB on CW, threw the half sloper from the balcony to 
a palm tree, beat the record, (only to get wiped by D4B and G4RCG/HI9) came 
3rd. So if you are QTH restricted, grab a rig and XYL and have fun and be a 
multiplier.

So we are not mentoring entry levels, we are questioning the wisdom of ARRL 
policy of cutting down promotion of contesting and push for excellence. But, 
you can bring the horse to the water..... 

Back to the DR1

Yuri, K3BU.us