[CQ-Contest] W/VE contacts from W/VE in ARRL DX

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Well Marvin, sometimes you can't win.
 
Many of the "big gun" stations figure it's faster to just work the guy (whether or not they log it) and keep going.  If you're trying to maximize your rate, I can see this.  And it avoids an argument from someone who's not familiar with the contest rules, and thinks that he's trying to do someone a favor... if not an argument, then a long explanation & discussion.
 
OTOH, the same individual now calls a little pistol like you, or a squirt gun like me, who often DOES take the moment to explain, or try to explain.  Even if we're right to do so... again, remembering that you're dealing with a non-contester not familiar with the rules or procedures... you now end up with hurt feelings, or confusion.
 
And it's not just the DX contest.  I see the same thing every Field Day, where someone casually operating from home under normal power -- ie, a Class D station -- tries to contact other Class D stations.  The rules are clear that Class D are not supposed to work Class D!  Now, do you take 5 minutes to explain it,or do you just work the guy & worry about it later?  (I usually just work 'em, since this usually happens after I've gotten home for the night from the club's FD op, and am just casually handing out a few contacts while I'm still awake.  Of course, YMMV)
 
During the weekend, I heard W1AW/7 WA clear as a bell on 10 SSB, a band I needed him on.  But -- I waited until he had a pause between DX, and I ASKED the op for a QSO first, since he was calling "CQ CONTEST".  The op seemed surprised I asked; maybe he didn't realize the contest was North America to DX /  DX to NA only.  Had he said "no", politely or however, I would have respected his wishes and moved on.
 
73


On 03/03/14, Marvin Bloomquist wrote:

I get occasional W/VE callers in the ARRL DX contests. Especially on SSB it 
is easy to politely tell these folks we can't work each other in this 
contest. When I do that they often thank me for telling them. I'm amazed 
that many of the big guns work these guys as if they count. That just 
perpetuates the problem and they go off looking for another contact. Maybe 
it is slightly quicker to do that on CW rather than explain we can't work 
each other but certainly not on phone. All of us benefit if we let these 
neophytes know they need to be working DX. Hey - at least they are trying 
to participate rather than sitting out there griping about the contesters.

Marv N5AW 

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