[CQ-Contest] Casual Contesting

[Michael Coslo]

On Dec 19, 2005, at 7:03 PM, sawyered at earthlink.net wrote:

> I must say that I am surprised by some comments about casual  
> contesting.  I often times will be tuning the band on some random  
> weekend and hear a contest going on EU, SA, Asia, State QSO party  
> or whatever.  I VERY FREQUENTLY will join in for half an hour or  
> more.  Sometimes make 20 - 50 QSOs.  I often don't know the rules  
> but pick up the exchange by listening in to a few QSOs.  If its  
> serial, that's what they get, zone, state, age, whatever.
>
> I have NEVER sent in a log in those interludes.  Have NO IDEA if  
> there is a power limitiation or anything else.  Don't care, I am  
> not submitting a log and therefore am beholden to no-one but the  
> FCC and good gentlemanly and ethical practice of radio operating.   
> I always felt that I was returning the favor of the many who do the  
> same for me, I am sure, as I work WPX or IARU or whatever.  Still  
> do, despite some of these comments.
>
> I never felt that 20 - 50 Qs was enough to be material to the  
> contest and therefore did not feel compelled to send in a log.

	Not quite right, Ed, We want those small logs. First, the more  
people that send in logs, the better idea we have of participation,  
and secondly, your small log helps to serve as a check for other logs.



>
> I can't think that I am alone in these practices nor do I feel  
> there is anything wrong with it but instead increases the enjoyment  
> of the serious ones that I contact.
>

	A lot of people do this. Nothing wrong with it, but logs would be  
nice, however small. Of course, if it was a choice between submitting  
a small log and not handing out any contacts at all, then casual it is!

	- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -