[CQ-Contest] WRTC2018 Qualifying

[john at kk9a.com]

If I understand K5ZD's statement regarding the WRTC2018 "Assisted scores are
compared against Unassisted" both categories are grouped together. I have
operated Assisted and Unassisted and I can see the challenges and fun in
each. Assisted does have a scoring advantage if done properly. K5ZD and K3WW
were assisted last weekend and both beat the highest scoring unassisted U.S.
score.  Grouping these two categories together is unfair to someone who
chooses to find multipliers and band openings on their own.

John KK9A


To:	cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject:	Re: [CQ-Contest] WRTC2018 Qualifying
From:	K4XS via CQ-Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Reply-to:	Cqtestk4xs at aol.com
Date:	Tue, 2 Dec 2014 16:48:23 -0500

I agree with Randy on this one.  For years I looked at the  assisted 
category as a lesser one.  One day I tried it, and was  hooked.
 
Randy, K3WW and others would probably agree with me that it is  harder than 
it looks.   
 
I do know that it really makes contest a lot more fun for  me.
 
K4XS
 
 
In a message dated 12/2/2014 3:15:32 P.M. Coordinated Universal Time,  
k5zd at charter.net writes:

We need  to stop disparaging how people choose to operate.  Yes, there are  
different categories, but one does not mean you are a better radio operator 
 than another.



I worked 5000+ QSOs in the CQWW this past  weekend.  I operated in the 
Assisted category.  I can assure you  that there was far more to
accomplishing 
this than "point and click"  skills.  Did using the Cluster help make my 
score higher than if I did  not use it?  Yes.  Have you noticed that most
new 
contesters look at  their final score as the metric for success.  A higher 
score is  considered "better."



Anyone  who has been licensed in the  past 15 years does not know ham radio 
DXing and contesting without the  availability of the DX Cluster via the 
Internet.  It is as natural to  them as learning CW was for those who
started 
back in the days of the Novice  license.  We all tend to favor what we first

learned or grew up  with.  But, that doesn't mean those who come later have 
to conform to  what was done before.



With the exception of ARRL, CQ and the  Scandinavian Activity Contest, the 
rest of the world's contest organizers have  moved on and allow single 
operators to use the Cluster if they want.  It  doesn't make contesting any 
less 
fun for the  participants.





Randy, K5ZD