[CQ-Contest] A simplistic view of competition

[N7DF]

In any type of contest the winners are those who have the best ability and make use of the best technology.  This applies to everything from car racing to marathon runs. 
   
  If you want to win in a national NASCAR race you must have the best driver, the best pit crew and the best car.
   
   Even if you want to win in the local Podunk Junction demolition derby, the same thing is true.
   
   If you want to win a foot race you have to be in the best shape and have the best shoes you can get.  
   
  The same applies to sailing, bicycling, skiing or any other endeavor. 
   There is no reason why the same thing should not apply to radiosport.  
   
  The unique aspect of radiosport is that everyone can be in the contest at the same time. In fact it requires that the maximum numbers of “casual” operators are involved to make it work.
   
  This is obviously impossible in most other sports simply because the playing field is so limited.  Fortunately ours is big enough to accommodate everyone who wants to play.
  If you are not willing to spend the time, money and effort to have the best equipment and training you can’t expect to compete on a national or worldwide basis.  
   
  Furthermore, if you do not make the maximum use of the equipment and technology available then you can’t expect to compete with others who do.  
   
  Most of us simply don’t have the resources to put together a superstation just as most of us don’t have the resources to build an “Indy car” but we can dig an old 65 Buick out of the junk yard and fix it up for the local demolotion derby challenge; and maybe win!.
   
  Just because the majority of people who enter any sports competition do not have the ability to win first prize is no reason to handicap those who are willing to put out the effort to have the best training and equipment to compete at the top level.  
   
  Plenty of people enter competitions knowing that they will never be more than “also-rans” but they enjoy the participation, nevertheless. Just breaking a pileup can be a triumph.
   
  There are always regional competitions where you can compete on a more local level and have a chance to win prizes.  This is true in radiosport as much as anywhere.  One change that we could make is to expand the award of second and third regional prizes so stations with limited resources still have a chance for recognition when there are superstations in their regional that they can’t compete against.
   
  If we want to level the playing field in radiosport the simplest way is to go back to the least number of classes and do away with the “assisted” category entirely and not to even consider if SOxR is even a factor.  Instead allow everyone to use the maximum technology available to them and the best equipment and antenna system they can assemble.
   
  True sportsmen play fair and no amount of regulation will completely eliminate the cheaters.  The best thing to do is to concentrate on doing the best you personally can and leave it up to the radiosport contest organizers to do what they feel is in the best interest of their respective contest. 
   
   If you spend all your time worrying about whether someone else is doing something you think is wrong, you will miss out on the FUN of radiosport.  And that’s what it’s all about!


73 From Number 7 Desert Fox

Remember E equals I x R is not just a good idea.  It is THE LAW
       
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