[CQ-Contest] Contesting Extinction

[PaulKB8N at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/5/2006 7:44:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
n4gi at tampabay.rr.com writes:

And the  fact that we in the U.S. LOVE deed restricted communities 
doesn't  help...

73,
Blake N4GI



Blake,
 
I think we need to accept the challenge of deed restricted  contesting.  I 
fear the degeneration of contesting to merely one multi-op  superstation working 
another.  The small single-op players  are vitally important to the future of 
contesting, IMHO.
 
I've had a great contest experience for the past 13 years from a CCR  
neighborhood.  I use #22 and #24 wire for my antennas.  Hardly anyone  notices, and 
since there is no visual impact, nobody seems to care. 
 
I got smart and finally installed roof shrouds with 1.5-3" openings.   
Now,from the attic, I can push black PVC and/or fiberglass masts (in 4'  sections) 
up through the shroud opening.  I put the feedline inside.   For day-to-day 
operations, I keep the antennas less than 10' above the roofline,  but I can 
raise them quite a bit higher for contests if necessary.  A  roofer installed the 
two shrouds (about $5 each) for $30, and did it in about 20  minutes.  I had 
already cut a couple of 3 inch holes from inside the attic  with a power jig 
saw.
 
I can also now do most of my antenna work inside the attic.  This same  
technique could be used for vertical arrays, and I intend to install phased  
verticals in the attic for the upcoming cycle, about 8-10' will stick up out of  the 
roof, so it will be a semi-indoor antenna. I have a neighbor who loves  phone 
contesting, I'm encouraging him to do what I've done.
 
Anyway, those who play in contesting are hooked, deed restrictions needn't  
be the death knell of our sport.
 
Paul, K5AF