[CQ-Contest] Extreme vs. Time Limited

[K0HB]

> Why is there such a strong push for this "Extreme" category, on the [as 
> yet
> unproven] grounds that it will improve the radio art and increase
> participation by others.

This may sound strange coming from the original "boy and his radio"......

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§97.1 Basis and purpose.

The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an amateur 
radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following 
principles:
....

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute 
to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which 
provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases 
of the art.

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I see DXing and Contesting (and maybe the satcomm guys) as the only 
significant remaining mainstream "interest groups" in amateur radio which we 
can point to as "advancing the art of radio".  I think we do well to 
encourage and nurture an atmosphere where these groups continue to incubate 
new technologies and techniques, and this "extreme contester" provides a 
playing space where that can be realized in a manner complementary to 
contesting as a whole.  I don't expect to play in that space, but I'll be 
proud to point to it when someone asks "what is Amateur Radio doing to 
fulfill it's mandate of "advancing the art".

73, de Hans, K0HB
http://k0hb.spaces.live.com/
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