[CQ-Contest] Where have all the young ones gone?

[AC0W]

Most of my co-workers and friends roughly 40 and under that learn of my 
radiosport activities ask a lot of questions. Many appear very 
interested. However at some point two questions tend to come up 
especially after having operated a full weekend event. One question 
after the weekend is "Did you win?" which then I have to explain I won't 
know for several months. This makes them to start loose interest. The 
second question is "When you win what do you win?" Win I explain a 
certificate or plaque most respond they would never put that much effort 
into something for just a piece of paper.

I don't have a solution to this. I just agree that we need to find a way 
for prizes of more value than a plaque and instant results to become a 
reality if contesting is to survive for many years.

Bill
AC0W


> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:35:32 -0500
> From: Joe <nss at mwt.net>
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Where have all the young ones gone? courtesy
> 	of Pete	Seeger
> Message-ID: <55390334.8010202 at mwt.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Is it a gray line here?
>
> I always wondered about this some.  Is a "Prize" being getting paid to 
> operate the radio?
>
> To me is isn't because there is no guarantee you're going to get 
> anything for operating the radio.
>
> If you place last you don't get anything, if you place like in the top 
> ten you get a piece of paper, so no problems there.
>
> But if you place first, in many contests you get a pretty nice plaque 
> to display. I have one right here on my wall from taking first place 
> in the Wisconsin QSO Party Single Op Fixed station in 1989. Now while 
> that chunk of walnut wood with the brass engraving isn't worth a K3. 
> but it does have value does it not? At least personally to me is does. 
> even tho monetarily it is not a lot.
>
> BUT if you really wanted to be picky did I not get paid something by 
> getting that plaque by operating my radio?
>
> There must be a positive way to differ between a Paid vs a prize. ya 
> know?
>
> But of course wouldn't it be cool that if it was possible in some of 
> the ultra major contests to be able to win something. like a radio or 
> something.
>
> Joe WB9SBD