[CQ-Contest] Contest competitiveness

[David Cockrum]

As I read the responses about the history of low power, specifically 150 
vs 100 watts, I think we are missing the elephant in the room.When it 
comes to factors that help an operator do well in contests at the top of 
the list should go antennas.We divide competitors in many contests into 
three categories based on power:high, low, and qrp.Yet in each of these 
categories the best scores are made by those with the best antenna systems.

For the most part the power categories divide us into groups that 
correspond to antenna systems as well.The stations with big antenna 
systems usually operate in the high power category, those of us with 
lesser systems often operate in low power and QRP categories.

 From my point of view I have a small antenna system (SteppIR at 50 
feet), but I know I have it much better than many others.After every 
contest in which a relatively large number of "casual" operators are 
worked, I receive many QSL cards which state the antenna is a "wire 
antenna in the attic," multiband vertical, or other marginal antenna.

As long as there are communities that regulate antenna height and deeds 
with restrictive covenants, contesting will continue to have a hard time 
attracting new blood to replace our aging membership. No one wants to 
compete in an activity in which they have little chance to do well. 
Perhaps every contest should have a category for those individuals with 
restricted space antennas.

73,

Dave, N5DO