[CQ-Contest] WRTC for VK/ZL

[Dave Mueller]

First of all, my sincere thanks to the DL team for stepping up and 
volunteering to host WRTC 2018!  In many ways it seems like a thankless 
job, with criticism shared before, during, and after the event, but I 
believe the vast majority of this is good-natured and the vast majority 
of participants go home with lifelong positive memories.  I would like 
to provide some counter-arguments to Vlad's comments as well as the 
thoughts of some others regarding selection in the Oceania area, which 
have some points applicable elsewhere.

I, obviously, was very surprised and overjoyed that the selection 
committee has decided to take two teams from Oceania.  It helps 
eliminate some of the propagation disparity between VK/ZL and stations 
north of the equator.  In reality, three qualification spots are likely 
required to cover the differences in propagation [differences in 
propagation to Europe] from Oceania.  I don't think we will find such 
sympathy from our counterparts in Europe or parts of NA where the 
density of contesters is much, much greater!  Look at Africa for 
example, where ZS stations have to compete with those in zone 33.  
Oceania had a similar issue during qualification for WRTC 2014, but I 
understand why the committees have decided as they did.

There has been a lot of argument about how the geographic zones are 
unfair to one country or another.  From my area, zone 27/28 always will 
have better propagation than zone 31 to Europe, and thus will always be 
at an advantage in the high-scoring qualifying contests as they are all 
EU-Centric.  How do I counter that?  I can operate some contests from 
KH2.  Likewise, VK6 will always have advantage over ZL.  Operate a 
couple qualifying contests from VK9X to maximize your chances.  Is it 
easy?  No - but it is possible if you really want to compete.  Look at 
Dima's score from 7O2A and you can see what is possible with a simple 
setup of verticals on the beach.  My contesting as NH2T was all with 
simple verticals and a Spiderbeam. Instead of trying to change rules to 
a way that benefits the suggester (and will always place someone else 
more at a disadvantage), why doesn't the suggester be more flexible 
himself? Every sport requires effort and sacrifice to compete at the 
highest level.

I do not think it matters which contests are used for the selection 
process.  WAE, RDXC, and the WAG will provide contest opportunities for 
those who have the skills but not access to the stations.  Large 
stations may be available for guest operating in these smaller contests, 
from station owners not interested in competing at WRTC. For example, 
W3LPL may be available for a younger operator in the WAE contest, where 
he can guest operate, compete, and potentially make max points to help 
his chances of selection.  Limiting the selection to the big contests 
only helps to help keep WRTC an elite event where those with the most 
money and biggest stations go, because the big station owners 
historically operate the major contests themselves.   Historically, the 
WAG has had poor participation from Oceania.  I bet participation 
increases in 2015 and 2016!  If you want to get max points in this 
contest, you still need to beat the other guys in your area all vying to 
make maximum points.  Remember, you are only competing with others in 
your area.

There also has been a lot of complaining about the short qualification 
period, with 12 contests over two years.  Personally I don't see the 
issue.  From NA, lots of guys operate both modes of ARRL DX, WPX, and 
CQWW DX - that is six contests per year already. Add efforts in other 
popular contests, such as RDXC, Sweepstakes - I just don't see this as a 
big deal, and I am an active duty military member with two young kids 
still at home.  Every sport requires effort and sacrifice to compete at 
the highest level.  This gives you a chance in 2017 to operate with your 
WRTC partner and practice for the big event.

I am not sure about the Low Power *VS* High Power decision.  It is 
completely logical to reward good operators who compete in the low power 
category, because they are most likely to succeed in the low power WRTC 
format.  On the other hand, I am not sure it is possible to ensure 
everyone plays by the rules.  What percentage of EU contesters operate 
the CQWW DX legal limit of 1500 watts output? 400W UK and 300W I 
stations?  I suspect there are a lot of violators who run more power, 
and many of them are prior WRTC competitors.  It is sad, but that is 
reality.  I only hope that those who chose to try qualifying by 
competing in the low power category are truly low power.  Unfortunately, 
I envision some people at their computer reading this and laughing at 
how naive I am being.

It is interesting how the qualification process changes between WRTC's, 
but many of the same players end up competing repeatedly, one way or 
another.  I suspect it will be no different next time. Wild Card and 
Sponsored teams will provide opportunities for those who gave a full 
qualification effort and are worthy of competing, but didn't make it for 
one reason or another.

Again, thanks to the OMs and YLs in Germany for their willingness to 
host the next WRTC event.  I already can't wait to participate, be it as 
a competitor, referee, or just a spectator.

73, Dave KH6/N2NL