[CQ-Contest] Limited Antenna Height Category

[Russell Hill]

I would like to suggest this thread consider something else--keeping the 
casual operator in the contest.  I have read many comments about the 
necessity to have the casual operators in the contests-- they are involved 
in the majority of Qs-- we need them!

As it is now, there is argument about using categories to "level the playing 
field" or not.  My guess is the casual contester perceives this as 
self-serving B.S.  He knows that the greatest hardware difference he faces 
is the ability to put up BIG antennas.  He correctly perceives that no 
matter what category he chooses, there will be 100 or 200 foot tower 
stations competing in the same category.  With fairly low antennas, you can 
give him all the SO2R, High Power, Multi-Ops, Computer usage, Extra Class 
privileges in the world, and he can never compete with the 200 foot tower 
guy, or even with the 70 foot tower guy.  Why should he bother to try?  Are 
there many super scores from a station with stacked monobanders limited to 
50 feet in height?  No?  So guess what?  The little pistol, on average, 
doesn't try, he gets on for a little while on Saturday to "give out a few 
contacts", etc.

I believe that if we had a category which limited antenna height to 50 feet 
or so, and we honored those who do well with that limitation, we might 
encourage the little pistol to improve his station and make a serious 
attempt to place well in the low antenna category.  In the process we might 
just get more participation from the little pistols, and isn't this what we 
want?

I don't believe the antenna height for the category should be any higher 
than 50 feet.  In the past, I competed successfully on 10 M and occasionally 
on 15 M with a 60 foot tower, and had a lot of fun. At 60 feet stacked 10M 
is very plausible.  I think we should establish a category height which 
allows discourages the use of stacks at HF, in order to give the vast 
majority of hams, the little pistols, an opportunity to compete with each 
other.  And we definitely do not want a height (22M) which just happens to 
allow for 20M monobanders at a wave-length high.  It would defeat the 
purpose.

Those of us who want to compete with our towers at above 50 feet would not 
be hurt in the slightest by having an antenna category which allowed the 
little pistols the opportunity to compete with each other and gain 
recognition.  We might come out way ahead, and even avoid the Sunday 
Doldrums, by giving this encouragement to the little pistols.

No, I don't think we need more categories.  Separate category for SO2R? 
Nope, that relates to operator proficiency.  I can't do SO2R, and that is my 
problem.  I do not want a separate category to protect me from the more 
proficient operator.  He deserves to win.

Incidentally, my pitch for a 50 foot category is not self serving.  I have a 
72 foot crankup which will support 15 M at 37 and 72 feet very nicely (when 
I get around to it), or when the sun spots get better, perhaps 10 M at 37, 
54, and 72 feet.  (I personally like Single Band.)  More hardware makes more 
Qs makes more fun, and I have no intention to play in the sub 50' category. 
But I do strongly believe the contesting community would be better off with 
such a category.

Thanks for the BW.

73, Rusty, na5tr