[CQ-Contest] Move to disband MAR section in Canada (for contesting)

[Paul Stoetzer]

As a resident of the District of Columbia, I understand where you are
coming from here. In Sweepstakes and ARRL 160 (the contests using
sections), we are part of MDC. In the other ARRL contests, we're
separate.

However, keep in mind that the exchange for these three contests is
your ARRL or RAC section. It would not make sense for the ARRL to
split the Maryland-DC section into two separate sections in the ARRL
field organization. There simply are not enough amateur radio
operators in the District of Columbia to justify splitting up the
section (this is a totally different situation from my staunch
opposition to DC counting as Maryland for any awards or contests that
use states or provinces).

In Ontario's case, it made sense for the RAC to split it up into four
separate sections (per the justification here
https://www.rac.ca/en/news/bulletins/2012/7/). For similar reasons,
many US states are split up into separate sections.

The key question is: would it make sense for the Radio Amateurs of
Canada to split up the Maritime section into it's constituent
provinces to improve their field organization? I don't know the answer
to that question.

73,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Washington, DC

On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 4:09 PM, Mike & Coreen Smith VE9AA
<ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> The following is from Al, VA1MM but I 100% support him.  See my own (VE9AA)
> comments below his:
>
>
>
> VA1MM:
>
>
>
> A group of us contesters here in the "MAR" section feel the time has come to
> announce the end of the MAR section in not only ARRL contests but all
> contests. When our Department of Communications (now Industry Canada)
> granted us separate prefixes for New Brunswick (VE9), Nova Scotia (VE1) and
> Prince Edward Island (VY2), they recognized they we were distinct Provinces
> with enough Amateur Radio operators to support a distinct call sign. And as
> multipliers go, why wouldn't you want to have three new districts to work
> when multiplied by six bands you have a substantial increase in your scores.
>
>
>
> We have tried to weigh the pros and cons, the only con would be the contest
> software not keeping up with the change or the operator not downloading the
> newest version, but do we wait forever? Ontario (VE3) lead the way with
> their divisional split, now it's time for the Maritimes to be recognized as
> NS, NB and PEI
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank-you, Al VA1MM/ VE1AWP (NS) Maritime Contest Club Member
>
> -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
>
> VE9AA, Mike says:
>
>
>
> I've been moaning and groaning about this very thing for years and years.
> SOME ARRL contests force us to send MAR (a very antiquated section) and some
> permit us to send NB, NS and PEI (the provinces where we are)
>
> Meanwhile, places like Ontario recently get 4 (count them) FOUR sections?
> What the???  Do we not exist out here or what????
>
> What if we were to combine RI, DE and ME?  Who in W1 would go for that
> section>? \RIDEME\
>
>
>
> Prior to 1993, all NB, NS and PEI's were VE1's...*BUT*, News Flash> In 1993
> us "VE1's" all got NEW distinct callsign prefixes
>
> ie: NB=VE9, NS=VE1 and PEI=VY2...there are very few left that kept their
> original VE1 calls in NB or PEI. (the NS guys got to keep their VE1's)...
>
> We are distinct provinces, (have been for eons.) just as Maine, Rhode Island
> and Delaware are.  Maybe it made sense in the old days or whatever to have
> us as one section as there are fewer hams here (and we were all VE1's) , but
> I think you'll see as a fellow member of MCC also, that we are well
> represented these days. As a point of interest, there are so many VE1's that
> they also have a VA1 prefix to choose from.  If it's based on activity (I
> know it's not) there are certainly ARRL and RAC sections with less activity
> than NB, NS and PEI.
>
> Even in the RAC contests we send "NB,NS and PE" so saying you "follow RAC"
> does not hold water, nor does it even make sense 2+ decades later.
>
>
>
> I normally try to boycott most contests that force us to send "MAR" as a
> silent protest.  Probably nobody notices but there are others like me out
> here.
>
>
>
> Get with the times ARRL, CQP and a very select few others.
>
>
>
> I don't know who's attention we need to get, but help us out. Rattle some
> chains.  Send emails to those you know,
>
> "RAC" is not contest oriented.  Why we have to follow that structure (but
> only for some contests) is beyond me !?!?
>
>
>
> Respectfully,
>
>
>
> Mike VE9AA (proudly in NB)
>
>
>
>
>
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge, NB
>
>
>
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