[CQ-Contest] Constructive feedback (was: why non-contesters hate us)

[Robert Chudek]

During the CQWW DX Phone contest last weekend I got the dreaded "QSO before" reply to one of my S&P calls. I never made it into their log. We have discussed that situation many times on this reflector and it's pretty much "preaching to the choir".

I took this mishap as an opportunity to turn it into an education opportunity. The station was a European Contest Club so my presumption was it could be a newer operator at the mic. He most likely didn't know the ramifications of sending "QSO B4" and not logging a second contact.

I sent a private message to the QRZ.COM email address of the club telling them about my experience. I received a very nice response thanking me for letting them know about this. I was told, like most clubs their population is a mix of seasoned contesters who are tutoring newer operators. They decided to forward my message to their club reflector and reported very favorable discussions that followed.

Mission accomplished.

If you are going to bring issues to the attention of other folks or clubs, you need to take the high road. You don't want to start your message with the classic Point / Counterpoint opening by Dan Aykroyd "Jane, you ignorant slut"! You are certain to get the well known response, "Dan, you pompous ass"!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekend_Update

Had I vocalized my situation on this reflector I doubt it would have influenced ANYONE. Everyone here already knows to rework the station, log them, and move on. There were no contest clubs in my area 45 years ago, so I made many mistakes along the way. I still make mistakes, but my UBN reports help me understand where I can improve.

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN


- - - - - - Original Thread - - - - - - - -

Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:44:06 -0400
From: "Shelby Summerville" <k4ww at arrl.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] why non-contesters hate us
To: "Jim Smith" <jimsmith at shaw.ca>, <CQ-Contest at contesting.com>
Message-ID: <000801c81b9a$33142190$6401a8c0 at acer6e395d0925>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Jim Smith wrote: "What do you think of the idea of sending an e-mail to the 
holder of the
call with the info as to what happened, when, freq, etc and ask him if
he approves of this style of operation?"

I did the exact thing, once, after it happened to me. That particular 
station has never interfered with me, since. I've always thought it was 
better to discuss it, first, privately with the "offender"?

C'Ya, Shelby - K4WW 




73 de Bob - KØRC in MN

http://k0rc.spaces.live.com
http://czudek.spaces.live.com
http://chudek.aberon.net
http://www.pclink.com/~k0rc