[CQ-Contest] A Bold Move

[Eric Hilding K6VVA]

Happy New Year, fellow Contesters!

I anticipate 2007 will continue to be filled with more friendly & lively 
discussions about both perceived and real "inequalities" associated with 
the great Art & Sport of Ham Radio Contesting.

The following will undoubtedly seem a bit far-fetched or radical to some, 
however I propose A BOLD MOVE, indeed perhaps A GREAT EXPERIMENT, to begin 
with several Domestic Contests (W/VE), which IMHO holds great promise of 
bringing more Contesting Happiness and Joy to many of  the currently 
disgruntled in our small Community of participants.

Many posts on this Reflector (and in other venues) have pointed the finger 
at Technology as being the culprit responsible for the unresolved Assisted 
vs. Non-Assisted issue.  As is true with many things in life, the seeds of 
a solution are to be found in the problem itself.  I ascribe to the old 
adage that "Every Problem Is An Opportunity", and yet realize that human 
nature opposes "change". But we need to face the reality that the need for 
certain "change" has been long overdue.

What I am about to propose is by no means "The Gospel" (there's only one of 
those), but rather talking points and suggestions for further discussion 
and action.  I will also put my money where my mouth is, and contribute 
$100 toward this project if at least 29 other Domestic Contesters will do 
the same.

There can never be a totally virtuous "level playing field" as many wish 
akiin to certain other sports, because of the dastardly issue of player 
Steroid use ;(  At the same time, I do not believe it to be completely 
"fair" to penalize those who have sacrificed time and money to build 
Contest "SuperStations".  Indeed, these players deserve to enjoy the 
benefits of their labors, until such time as all Contesting migrates to a 
totally Internet based, real-time venue.  Those who run in excess of the 
"''Legal Limit" and/or claim "Low Power" while actually running High Power, 
on the other hand, deserve to be banned from the game.

OK...so here's the deal.

Without doing exhaustive research at this point, I think it's reasonably 
sound to suggest that most *serious* participants in the Sprint contests 
are also heavy players in the NAQP and ARRL SS.   In fact, I'd almost be 
willing to bet that 80% of Spinters are NAQPers and ARRL SSers, and all 
posses Internet connectivity   Accordingly, I am proposing the two latter 
two events as a starting point.  Eventually, other major Contest Sponsors 
(both Domestic and Foreign) can join the party, as well as State QSO 
Parties, etc.

Initially, there would be no major changes to the current award and 
category structures for the NAQP or ARRL SS.  Rather, there would be only 
the addition of a "Techno" Category (or whatever term deemed approrpiate), 
but with a Maximum number of Certificates to be issued to the Top 5 score 
operators/stations to start with, in 6 categories:

1. Single Operator (Assisted or Non-Assisted)
2. Mutli-Single (Assisted or Non-Assisted)
3. Multi-Mutli (Assisted or Non-Assisted)

A total of 30 additional Certificates would not pose any heavy burden or 
hardship upon the Sponsors.  OK...give the #1 scorer in each of the above 3 
listed Assisted and Non-Assisted categories a plaque or trophy as well.  No 
problem.  I'll sponsor at least one plaque or trophy first time around if 
necessary.

The "Techno" Category will result in great strides to resolve 3 of the 
primary issues on the table:

1. QTH/Antenna disparities
2. ERP disparities & current cheating
3. Packet disparities & current cheating

Let's face it...for the main heavy-duty players in the NAQP and ARRL SS, it 
will be "business as usual" and doubtful any will switch to the new 
experimental category.  But for many others down the food chain who will 
continue to p*ss and moan until SOMETHING changes, it is an opportunity to 
"put up or shut up".  The latter won't get a totally free ride.  In 
exchange for not having to spend $50,000 or much more to "upgrade" your 
station to compete with the Big Guns under the current reality of Contest 
Rules, if ya wanna shot at getting in *some* "Top 10" status ranking, it's 
gonna cost you a few bucks, 'cuz there ain't no such thing as a "Free 
Lunch". It will also take some contributions from the rest of us to get set 
up and certainly some donations of programming time by several of our 
Contesting brethren who are so endowed.  But if this helps keep more 
players in the game for longer hours in the chair, then we can all 
potentially benefit with increased QSOs and Mults.  We all share in the 
responsibility to help bring about needed "change".

Technology to the rescue.  If you are not familiar with N6BV's HFTA 
program, you're missing out on a great tool, and it comes free on a CD with 
the ARRL Antenna Book (20th Editiion).

This proposal would require Dean to be willing to allow of integration a 
special version of HFTA and a similar arrangement for MicroDEM (or 
equivalent) in conjunction with a Cooperative Agreement with the USGS into 
a Master Database structure to be administered by the Contest Sponsor for 
complete Automation.  Things *could* be done semi-Automatically, since many 
of the intial one-time setups for Antenna/QTH data may not change for those 
stuck in CC&R QTH's until they retire.  This would be more labor intensive, 
but nothing that $$$ can't solve.

Techno category participants (the serious participants who consistently 
operate the NAQP and ARRL SS), would make a one-time entry of their 
Lat/Long coordinates,  site elevation, and all antenna data for each band 
(including wire antennas and estimated dB gain).  However, instead of 
terrain radials every 5 degrees, only 8 terrain directions would be 
utilized.  OK, maybe 16.

Based upon  the entrant/participant's QTH, antenna gain in dB per band 
could be automatically approximated by band in 4 or 8 primary directions to 
cover the US, Canada, KH6, KL7 and  KP2/KP4.   Yes, I know some follks have 
multiple antennas per band and stacks, so perhaps some kind of unique 
"averaging" factor could come into play.   This would not be a 100% perfect 
system, but certainly one helluva a lot better than nothing to help satisfy 
the needs of the p*ssers and moaners (I confess to having been one).

The ideal would be to also have the master software system also account for 
event participant Geo-Locations (based upon the last 3 event sponsor 
statistics by either State or ARRL Section), and calculate some band 
adjustment factors accordingly.  In other words, we all know that the East 
Coast has a tremendous advantage on 160m and 80m especially during domestic 
contests.  Adjustment factors would also apply for what we all know are the 
"Black Hole" areas and some Canadian areas. And then there are some basic 
band-by-band Propagation adjustments most likely needed.  Tnx to the Techno 
wonders of software, various "refinements" to the system could be made on 
an ongoing basis as deemed appropriate by a Contest Consultation Panel of 
event SuperStars.

Where the rubber meets the road is that I believe it fair and reasonable 
for all serious repeat players in the Techno category who stand to benefit 
greatly from a "more levelized playing field", to be willing to pop a 
one-time setup fee of $25 (or whatever), and some minimal amount like $5 if 
antenna changes are made after initial setup.  Even at $50 or $100, it's 
certainly much less than $50,000 (or more) and a lot of hard work which the 
Big Gun SuperStation ops have invested to get one some term an "unfair 
advantage".  Amortize the basic one-time "pay to play" amount over the 
number of years you expect to participate in these events, and that might help.

As such a QTH/Antenna equalizer system may eventually be used in other 
Contests, initial participants should not be re-charged, since all their 
data is already in the Master Data Base.

Technology also offers another solution which can also resolve the issue of 
ERP Cheating.

In order to play in this new Techno game, participants will agree to the 
installation of an RF Monitoring device which has an interface to the 
computer and will upload readings to the Sponsor's Master Database at least 
once every 5 minutes (irresective of whether a participant uses "Packet" or 
not). Yeah, I know, someone could still cheat and put it in the food chain 
right after the TXRX instead of after the amp.  A solution for this would 
be for the Contest Sponsor to have Certified Field Reps who will do a 
one-time initial installation of the device at the participant's QTH (for a 
nominal additional fee), that has some type of tamper-proof device...which 
if screwed with, will render it unusable, and the Master Database nuke that 
participant from eligibility in the scoring process.  Hmmm...I actually 
like the latter idea :-)

Let's face it, the current HP, LP, QRP scheme of things totally sucks.  A 
QRP station using stacked yagis has substantially more benefit than a Low 
Power station using a dipole.

So,  looking at the overall dB gain scheme of things, such an approach (in 
conjunction with antenna dB gain factors), will enable a "more levelized 
playing field" and NO separate ERP categories.  You get the picture.  Those 
who wish to reduce their electricity bills and run QRP instead of HP will 
get an adjustment factor (although doubtful they will be able to Run a lot 
vs S&P during the game :-)

Technology also miraculous provides a solution to resolve much of the 
Assisted vs. Non-Assisted problem.

Just as with the ERP monitor, a special Packet Monitor device that perhaps 
integrates with the logging software via DDE and uploads a status to the 
Sponsor's Master Database every 5 minutes or so would solve part of the 
problem.  The software authors would need to make a minor tweak to enable 
this to be functional.  Yeah,  I know, some could still cheat and use a 
"Rube Goldberg" packet connection on a separate computer, but the following 
can address this situation.

The Contest Sponsor would also to obtain ALL packet cluster spots made 
during the event, feed these into the Master Database, and have the master 
software system compare station spots by band and the participant's 
QSOs.  More discussion would be necessary, but perhaps if  the 
participant's log showed 10 or more QSOs being made within 10 minutes of a 
packet spot for stations worked on that band, it *could* be assumed that 
the participant was using Packet and dealt with accordingly.

The reality that stations being spotted (the Spot-EE's) do, in fact, 
realize benefits to their Run rates, DEFINITELY necessitate a few 
adjustment factors as well.  Perhaps based upon number of spots received 
levels in increments of 20 is a starting point.  Remember, there "ain't no 
such thing as a Free Lunch" (or being the recipient of a packet spot), 
except under currently DYSFUNCTIONAL Sponsor Rules ;-(

In a perfect world, everyone would either use packet or not use 
packet.  I'd almost be willing to be that 99% of all *serious* Domestic 
Contest participants have Internet access in this day and age.  But trying 
force someone to use packet is a waste of time, if they want to Contest 
"the good old way".

So what about the "Casual" Contesters in all of this?   It doesn't matter, 
because many of  them never submit a log anyway.

In sporting events like Football, Baseball, Basketball, etc.,  I think we 
could all agree that the cost of player uniforms are pretty much  the same, 
and doubtful would vary by more than 10%.  However, if Contesting of The 
Future on a "more levelized playing field" would become the norm  for all 
participants in accordance with the suggested experimental category, IMHO 
this might possibly require some type of Antenna/Tower adjustment factor 
based upon $$$ investment so those who have "paid the price" don't get 
penalized unfairly.

But then again, all is not fair in Love or War, right?

BOLDNESS has Genius, Magic & Power to it.  A BOLD MOVE in the direction of 
employing Technology to solve some of the current Contest 
rules-related-problems created by Technology can also solve a few of the 
historic Non-Technology problems (like Cheating) in the process.  I'm just 
sharing a few thoughts of what ***IS*** possible NOW.  But to allow things 
to continue in their DYSFUNCTIONAL state would be irresponsible.

Comments & Flames are both welcomed, 'cuz I'm all suited up for the New Year!

73, HNY & "Good Luck In The Contest, Oms!" ...

Rick, K6VVA