[CQ-Contest] Recruiting women into contesting

[AB2E Darrell]

Bravo Barry, sounds like Judy has contest potential. I would say FD is a 
great place to get YLs and others into contesting. It's sort of a 
non-competitive way to get started.
As for YLs specifically, besides FD how about the following?
*Many YLs still participate I believe in the YL net on 20(I think it's 
around 14.332). Possibly if some contesters check in to the net and make the 
suggestion that YLs participate in the contests.
*There is a specific YL/OM contest. If a couple of contest clubs decided to 
'adopt' that contest, get on the air and really give them some activity, it 
might encourage them to operate other contests.
*Actively recruit YLs for contests like state QSO parties, or some contests 
with slower rates. This will give the newer contesters a chance to build up 
speed and stamina to a full contest effort.
*Let's try to break the perception that ham radio and contesting is just 
another 'male' pasttime.
*Have experienced contesters hold an open house during a couple of weekends. 
Encourage YLs, young ops, and any other ham who might be a potential 
contester. If it's a phone or CW contest, make sure they can hear what's 
happening during the exchange.

*encourage casual or part time operation to get started.

Well, there's probably some other ideas out there.....
73 Darrell AB2E



>From: "Barry Merrill" <barry at mxg.com>
>Reply-To: barry at mxg.com
>To: "'Kenneth E. Harker'" <kenharker at kenharker.com>,"'CQ Contest'" 
><cq-contest at contesting.com>
>Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Recruiting women into contesting
>Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 17:56:59 -0500
>
>Competition is generally a male attribute.
>
>I convinced Judy, KA5PQD, to work a few stations with her
>(Novice forever) call during Field Day on 10 SSB on
>Saturday evening.
>
>She was not interested in CQing, and had never tuned
>in an SSB station, but (unaided) found 10 stations
>in her first hour (including a KP4 with an X in his
>suffix using Xylophone for his phonetic!).
>
>She also experimented with her own choice of phonetics,
>initially using Kappa Alpha Five Papa Quebec Delta, but
>soon reverted to Kilo Alpha when she realized that few
>hams knew their greek alphabet.
>
>After supper, she came back for 20 more Qs in her second hour; she
>was very satisfied that she had learned how to tune and work stations
>on SSB, but she had no interest in making any more Qs on Sunday.
>
>Barry, W5GN
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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