[CQ-Contest] JAs in Contesting

[sawyered at earthlink.net]

I can offer the following real time observations:

1) I operated C6ARS in 2001 CQ WW CW and was amazed how many JAs were calling me late in the contest.  They were more interested in DXing, than contesting, from my observation.  The JAs still seem to love DXing even though most have stopped contesting competitively.

2) I operated XX9TEP for a number of years from 1999 - 2003 never in contests.  The pile-ups of JAs were "unbelievable" at times, especially on 80 and 160 (again big DXers).

3) I operated 9M6A during CQ WW SSB 2003.  I was shocked at how few JAs were calling me during CQ WW SSB.  Later on, I was DXing at 9M6AAC in 2005 and had a nice pile-up of JAs consistantly.

In my opinion, the JA community is still alive and well on HF DXing but is not motivated anymore for Contesting.  I have been very disappointed over the last few years of the amount of activity (or lack thereof) in JIDX and AA contests where you would think there would be alot.  It just isn't there at any level like it was or that you would expect.  And I think that any thoughts of motivating it from outside of JA, meaning most of us, is just not going to be productive.  The JA contest community would have to lead the charge and I just don't hear it wanting to.

I hope that this discussion will change that.  Contesting is just not the same with out the "JA piles" when the bands are open.

Ed  N1UR