[CQ-Contest] Categories, Participation and Competition

[Don Field]

Ed mentions the 12-hour categories in the IOTA Contest, which I manage.
These have led to a dramatic increase in entrants to the contest and have
been hugely popular. I don't know how many of these 12-hour entrants are
likely to migrate to the "big boy" 24 hour categories, but does it matter?
The important thing is that these guys come on and help increase the overall
buzz (and provide plenty of "fresh meat" for the big boys as the contest
goes on).

And there is quite a strategy element to the 12-hour categories too. The
rules require off times to be a minimum of 60 minutes, so the choice of
off-time(s) becomes quite critical for serious 12-hour entrants.

Let me take this opportunity to plug this year's contest - last full weekend
of July (25/26 July), 1200-1200 UTC.

Don Field G3XTT / NK1G



2009/6/19 Edward <sawyered at earthlink.net>

>
>
> I must say that for years, I have read in this reflector the discussion
> of the "multitudes" of "casual contesters" that would become serious
> with smaller competitive time requirements.  Yet IARU (24 hours) and
> IOTA (12 hours) don't bring out these multitudes.  The NAQP is active
> and fun and sure there a some (not a lot quite frankly) different
> players in that one but I believe that the gepgraphic competition issues
> are as much a difference as time.  Look at SS vs. IARU (both 24 hours)
> yet wildly different group because of geographic interests and just
> different contest personalities.
>
> If this crowd proposing smaller hour competitive segments within a
> contest wants to make themselves heard and noticed..get off the
> reflector and "en masse" "run with the dogs" in IARU or IOTA.  Or tell
> us your next excuse as to why some "spousal activity" or "soccer game"
> made it impossible to be competitve.
>
> I for one, could be persuaded to support these 12 or 24 hour categories
> if the walk backed up the talk in the current contests that offer it.
> But I just don't see it.  Show us all, that there is interest...or drop
> it for once and for all please.
>
> I must agree with others on Extreme...more categories? why this one for
> a few stations?....and the remote reciever thing without DXCC or zone
> limitation is DOA for me for the sport itself.  2 Extremes can work
> themselves on 10M whether the band is open or not if they have the right
> receiver locations...that is NOT extreme...that is another
> sport....internet gaming.
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
> PS.  Field Day is 24 hours....there is another one to "show us all what
> you are talking about"
>
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