[CQ-Contest] Xtreme category, catch 22

[Julius Fazekas]

> I hear "We don´t need a wealth of categories for those
> only eager to 
> earn awards without effort".  We don´t need a wealth
> of categories but 
> more consideration as it is reflected in 6-h-categories in
> RTTY or in a 
> family-friendly 12h-category in IOTA. And perhaps
> organizers with 
> online-awards can report whether the appetite for paper
> really is as big 
> as some argue. It is not about awards but simply about the
> feeling of 
> being a competitor running or playing on the same track as
> the big dogs. 
> Btw "competing" does mean to rank as good as possible - not
> to win as 
> single goal. This attitude is left to some of the big guns
> speaking 
> about "lost weekends" or "low key efforts" doing >3k
> QSOs but not ranking No.1.

I would debate the numbers theory on how many are serious in the LP or QRP categories. You may be able to argue that, as a percentage of the number of participants, there are fewer "serious" LP entries than HP. This is only true because there are far more LP entrants than HP. I would say there are the same number of serious LP entrants as the HP category. I do agree there are more casual LP entrants than HP.

More than a few folks do not feel they can compete with a modest station, which is very debatable. The super stations tend not to play in the LP categories, but do show up in QRP from time to time. This is all a head game in the end. One has to go into an event with the idea that they are going to do the best they can, "winning" is doing the best you can.

It is very difficult to beat certain areas of the world in some contests, if you're not in that section of the world... Maybe it is time for plaques or medals for the top three contenders in the LP categories, versus making new categories. Once again, using the other sport analogy, most serious competitions do provide more substantial awards (non paper) for the top three contestants in a category. At some point this does get out of hand, that being said, it does seem in Amateur Radio competition that the majority of the plaques are for the HP categories. This is not a judgment, just an observation.

Of course, our contest awards depend on sponsors. If no one sponsors an award for the LP categories well... Too, in other sport competitions, there are often entry fees to pay for the awards. We don't have that...

The Extreme category is a good thing. It will allow folks with an uber station to play against others. It may cut down on cheating in other categories. It may open new techniques up to everyone. It is a logical progression in our hobby. I'm sure there will be changes as contests get some experience with this, a few years down the road, what is now extreme may be more "common", just as computer logging and control has become common.

Better coverage of the LP categories in the write-ups may help. It's nice to read about the mega stations, but most will never get even close to one of them, much less appreciate the effort involved running one. This does mean that the little guy has to get off his duff and get vocal about their effort. Certainly more folks can appreciate the trials and tribulations of an effort using a tribander and some wire or verticals and a secondhand radio. :o)

Maybe there's a place for a vintage category, where computer technology is less influential. This would be a lot more work for the contest sponsors.

Maybe a pool of funds for LP/QRP awards would be a viable option. It might be easier to get a bunch of stations to send in $5 to $20, versus say $75 annually. Of course, that's more work and temptation for the contest sponsors... It does help down on the State QSO Party level.

One thing I found discouraging as a LP/QRP contester is the WRTC competition. QRP was completely ignored and LP was significantly discounted. It basically sends the message that LP and QRP operators are not worthy of competing, yet the FD style setup for the coming event is more like what many LP/QRP operations are for every contest. Yes, I know everyone can't go to the Olympics, and realistically paying for travel to play in the event for many is prohibitive. Still, discounting serious efforts outside of the HP categories is disappointing...

No sour grapes, I still have fun and enjoy the contesting I do and the contesters I know and will continue to play until those things are no more.

73,
Julius

Julius Fazekas
N2WN

Tennessee Contest Group
http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html

Tennessee QSO Party: Sunday, 6 Sept 2009
http://www.tnqp.org/

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