[CQ-Contest] CQWW Survey

[Jim Jordan, K4QPL]

This thread has been going on for weeks now. The comments have been good, 
bad and ugly. They have been thoughtful and sarcastic, polite and rude, 
positive and negative. However, the one thing that is very clear is that 
there is no consensus, and even more clearly, no mandate, to change the 
rules.

Is whatever perceived benefit in merging the assisted and non-assisted 
classes worth the divisiveness, the hard feelings, and the very likely 
decrease in participation?

Has this issue become so large that it can only be resolved as a "win-lose" 
decision?

Can we not get out of our generation gaps, our fear of the occasional 
cheater, the innovation vs. tradition arguments, etc.?

Are non-scientific surveys indicative of true feelings, or even accurate 
indicators of preferences?

Is a 51-49%, or even a 75-25% "win" (either way) of any real value to the 
contesting and the larger ham radio community where camaraderie, respect for 
others and honor have long been the principles we believe in? Is "The Old 
Man" not turning in his grave?

Is making such a radical change a necessity for the survival of contesting 
as we know it?

Regardless of personal preferences, I hope that I speak for the majority of 
contesters who will agree that we need to promptly resolve this issue and 
bring this discussion and the resulting divisiveness to an end before 
further damage results.

Personally, I don't want to hear the results from this "survey" regardless 
of its accuracy or lack thereof. Using it to back a "position" will just 
bring more bickering and divisiveness. Much preferable would be a simple 
statement NOW from the contest organizers that they have listened, surveyed, 
considered the matter and have come to the conclusion that notwithstanding 
any technical benefits that might result from change, the idea of merging 
assisted and non-assisted classes has been deferred indefinitely.

This thread can then be closed, hopefully without either crowing or sour 
grapes posts from either group. Maybe then we can save a few electrons, 
avoid "reflector overload" (resulting in frequent use of the "delete" 
button) and hear from members who have positive contributions to this great 
hobby.

73,

Jim, K4QPL