[CQ-Contest] Station-Specific Incentives

[Jeff Maass]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Bill Tippett
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2005 10:33 AM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Station-Specific Incentives
> 
>          Kelly, the key issue is not Packet, it's station-
> specific incentives (free videos or whatever).  It's
> interesting that there are no contest rules prohibiting
> this and nothing would prevent the following:
> 
> *********************NEWS FLASH*********************
> 
>                  W1BUX CQWW Multiplier Incentive:
> 
> 1.  Any fixed station working me and only me in the CQWW
> for a unique multiplier will receive $XXX via PayPal.
> 
> 2.  Any expedition station working me and only me in
> the CQWW will receive $XXX to cover their trip expenses.
> 
> *****************************************************
> 
> Granted these are extreme hypothetical examples, but once
> we start offering incentives to work specific stations,
> we are on a very slippery slope that has no boundaries.
> The concept of a level playing field, which is behind the
> spirit and intent of all contest rules, will very quickly
> vanish down that slippery slope.  BTW, this is the same
> reason WRTC goes to some lengths to prevent publicizing
> the identity of contestants' calls...i.e. to prevent
> "patriotic patronizing" by home country cheerleaders.
> 
>          As I said before, I'm sure the Finns did not dream
> this up to try to win the IARU low power category,  but
> I wonder what comes next when others see what they did?
> Where does it end???


It's hardly the first time for "incentives". 

How many people recall sometime in the early 80s when Martti
OH2BH offered a bottle of Madeira wine to anyone who worked
him at CT3BZ on six (five?) bands in a contest? 

A quick Google shows that PJ1B in the 90s offered small 
gouda cheeses for multiple bands. 

Neither of these led to runaway scores for those stations,
or to an out-of-control avalanche of other similar incentives
from contest stations.

I think that banning the occasional incentive offer is
a solution looking for a problem.

73,  Jeff K8ND