[CQ-Contest] FD observations and suggestion

[Andrew Faber]

A perfect example of the dual nature of FD occurred at the W6YX class 5F 
operation Saturday afternoon.  This was a very competitive effort, but at 
one point while I was on 40CW, I overheard W6LD spending several minutes 
talking to a couple of kids whose father had called in on 15 phone.  Each 
kid got on the mike, and I think one of them was only four years old -- they 
were obviously thrilled at the contact.  John was very encouraging to them 
and didn't treat it as a waste of time, even though it certainly cut into 
the run rate.
73, Andy, AE6Y
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Guy Molinari" <guy_molinari at hotmail.com>
To: <n4gi at tampabay.rr.com>; <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FD observations and suggestion


>I think this is one of those arguments where everyone is right.
>
> 1)  The charter for the Amateur Service includes (among other things),
> creating a pool of trained radio operators who can assist during times of
> emergency.   The goal of FD seems to be in line with this.
>
> 2)  Contesting helps build the necessary operating skills.  It's not 
> enough
> just to set up the equipment under adverse conditions.   You actually have
> to operate.
>
> 3)  The secondary (yet critically important) aspect of FD is to have fun.
> This helps recruit new blood into ham radio.   The problem is that each of
> us has a different definition of what fun is.   In my club, there is a 
> group
> of hard core contesters.   Fun is defined as "getting a rate fix" (pardon
> the druggie humour).   Even these guys (myself included) enjoy the social
> aspects of this.  Another group sees the whole event as an opportunity to
> socialize with family and friends in a ham radio club setting.  This
> involves eating, sitting around the campfire, trying out a new unfamiliar
> mode, whatever.
>
> IMHO, a good club should meet all of these needs, but there are clubs that
> specialize as well.   There are a number of large contesting clubs in 
> every
> corner of this country and large parts of the world.  These specialized
> clubs (at least the larger ones) host a FD effort.
>
> The Mike and Key club here in Seattle is a large vibrant club that meets a
> broad range of needs.  There is plenty of good natured ribbing (hard core 
> CW
> contester types vs. laid back SSB guys).
>
> I don't think the D class folks should be excluded, but I do think that
> there should be an INCENTIVE for getting out in the field.   IMHO, it
> probably is bad form to run if you are D class, but if you are in the 
> field
> you probably should run most of the time anyway.
>
> It's all good.
>
> 73 - Guy, N7ZG
>
>
>
>
>>From: n4gi at tampabay.rr.com
>>To: cq-contest at contesting.com
>>Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] FD observations and suggestion
>>Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:22:47 -0400
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Kelly Taylor <ve4xt at mts.net>
>>
>> > I can't help but think that maybe it's just us who sees FD as an
>> > opportunity
>> > for some serious contesting.
>>
>>Where I am, I think several of the local clubs frown upon "corntester"
>>field day attendance.  Some have resorted to doing "secret field day"
>>where the final location is only released to "invitees" on the day of
>>the event!  Good way to thwart contesters??  There are still some good
>>groups, you just have to find them.
>>
>>73,
>>Blake N4GI
>>
>>
>>
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>
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