[CQ-Contest] The WPX Triathlon award and the truth about FAM.

[Martin , LU5DX]

I'm glad to see Lucas won this new award which involves SSB/CW and RTTY!

Plaques are good. But to some extent, in some cases they don't represent
much.

You have $$$$, can buy/rent a spot in some strategical DX place, you most
likely will be able to cover the wall of your house with plaques.

That's what modern contesting is in part nowadays. A matter of $$$.

But in this case the plaque means a whole lot, because the winner makes a
really and continuous big effort in terms of economics, planning, job
schedule, etc., to be able to keep entering contests.

I don't think Luc will like this note o'mine cause he is really a low
profile guy.

But to put things in perspective, being a young guy, in a location really
far away from big ham population centers, in a country with an 8:1 exchange
ratio, and prices of equipmente being at least twice what they are in the
States,  certainly does not make things easy.

He took over the maintenance of a big station to be able to continue to
contest.

But his contest achievements are not what tells the whole story about
Lucas. I mean, winning is important, but it certainly is not all.

Again, despite all $$ difficulties, he usually experiments in other areas
of our hobby: EME, VHF DXing, Satellites, digital modes, Top band DXing,
IOTA expeditioning and so on.

He is in charge of teaching new ham radio ops at LU5FB. He usually opens
LT1F doors to very young contesting prospects (2011 ARRL 10 M where the
young crew of LU1UM was able to experience what a contest from a big
station is like, 2012 ARRL 10 M where newcomers from LU5FM joined the fun
through Luc's efforts).

He constantly presents Amateur Radio as a fascinating hobby to his group of
Scout, and they are able to participate in JOTA events every year.

I'm sure there must be lots of guys with bigger scores in SSB/CW (are there
that many, really?), Hopefully many of them put as much effort and passion
as Luc does.


Best 73.

Martin, LU5DX