[CQ-Contest] SO2R Category

[ku8e at bellsouth.net]

N5OT wrote :

N5OT (me) says:
I don't believe this for a second.  There are plenty of guys with more stuff 
and bigger stations than I have whom I beat regularly.  But more importantly 
there are a number who also trounce me regularly with less stuff and smaller 
stations.  You're kidding yourself if you believe the only reason someone 
beat you was because you were out-hardwared.  You may have also been 
out-classed!
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Mark,

  That's true up to a point.  I'm probably like you that if I have the right combination of a good station to operate and good location my ego takes over and I feel like I have a chance to beat anyone.

 Someone who is in my situation running wires and small amp has the odds stacked against them and you realistically can't compete with an equal operator to yourself that would have a tower and a beam. I too regularly have higher scores than those who have me out-hardwared. As frustrating as it can be that doesn't stop me from still trying.  I always seem to do especially well in the CW Sprint.  IMO that is THE contest that separates the really good contesters from everyone else in the pack. Just look at the USA WRTC roster just to prove my point.

Now if I was running a KW and a 60 ft tower with a nice tribander and 2 el 40 meters beam at home 
that would be different and I would be closer to agreeing with your point. But even that type of
setup is small compared to what many serious contesters have. Hardware plays a big role buts its not everything as you pointed out....


Jeff