[CQ-Contest] assisted vs UNassisted - what you've told me

[kr2q at optonline.net]

Hi all:

Earlier this year, I asked "why do you use assistance?" and suggested that folks send me 
their replies so that I might understand their mind-set (not to criticize, just to understand).

CQ-Contest also posted a survey about the use of Scoreboards and if that should be considered 
"assisted."  The CQWWDX contest committee also asked for input on this topic.

The following is a compilation of the information that YOU kindly sent to me, for my own
edification of your thinking on these topics.

PART I.

WHY DO  YOU USE ASSISTANCE IF STATS SHOW IT USUALLY RESULTS IN A LOWER SCORE
THAN UNASSISTED?

1.  It is easier to win my category
2.  It is easier to place in the top ten
3.  It is easier to get a sweep
4.  I am only looking for new ones
5.  I helps my club get a bigger score
6.  It is easier to get recognition
7.  It is easier to compete against other SOA/UNLIMITED guys

I think you get the idea here.  When I first sent out my request for input, I "knew" that I
would get replies that "it is just more fun."  Well, I didn't...not one, at least not from someone
who actually enters as assisted/unlimited.  I did get one comment about "more fun" from
someone who does not enter that category.  My take on that is that he totally guessed,
the same as I did when I first asked for input.

The answers listed above are NOT my take on the replies; they are the actual replies.  I
fully appreciate the honestly of those who responded to me.  It was (and still is) a real
eye opener.  There were multiple replies per category shown above (1 to 7).

PART TWO:

If SOA/Unlimited scores are typically LOWER than non-assisted/limited, why not just combine
them in the score listings since it likely won't change anything in terms of the winners?

You can read the replies yourself on the CQ-Contest Reflector survey.  While I can't yet
reveal the exact results of the comment sent to CQWWCC, I can say that both surveys are
in close alignment.  

The gist of the input is that guys who do NOT use assistance, want to keep the category PURE.  
It is not that they dislike, or hate those who use assistnace, or that they would feel denigrated, 
or whatever by use of assistance, it is just that they really don't want any (using their word) 
contamination in this long standing "no packet, no Internet, no 2fm, no 'on air help'" category.  
(I'm sure you can all come up with a lot of analogies to other sports or events where even 
though there is "new" technology out there, some choose to remain "pure" or "traditional," or 
whatever word you like.

I found not one statement from a competitor in the unassisted category that was negative
towards those who use assistance.  It seems (to me) that their desire to keep things apart
is based on their sense of "keep that stuff away from our category because we love it the way
it is and has always been."  Again, no animosity, just a desire to keep competing as has been
the tradition.


MY CONCLUSION (usual disclaimer).

1.  The assisted folks (at least those who responded to me) want to keep their category
separate, for all of the reasons stated above.  Fair enough (they were honest).

2.  The non-assisted entrants also want separate categories, to maintain "purity" and/or
continued integrity of the category and not because they don't want to associate with the
assisted crowd.

3.  The contest sponsors would be nuts to combine these cateogries as they would likely
anger/piss-off competitors in both groups, each for their own and different reasons.

I trust that you will consider the opinions of your peers, which they shared with me and which
I am now sharing with you as their honest opinions and use them to further your understanding
of the motivations for both groups.  

May I suggest to you that you now reread the very first sentence of this posting, noting
especially the last six words.

de Doug KR2Q