[CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 150, Issue 6

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Another thing to consider...
 
Exactly what does  "1 - 10 place" mean?  What's the context?
 
Would this be merely Single Op?  Would there be "old fashioned" and "technologically enhanced" categories?  Power?  Multi-single?
 
Or... would this be for SO only, and your power level gives you a multiplier... if so, what are the breakdowns, and what would the multipliers be to "level the playing field"
 
OTOH... 
 
Considering the disparities that can exist on a given contest weekend -- specifically, considering that propagation may favor one region over others one year, and a different one the next -- would it make more sense to make the prizes regionally based?  
 
For example (and this is just one of many possibilities), in a world-wide competition, award rig to the top SO HP & SO LP in NA, SA, EU, AF, AS, and OC?  (Yeah, that's 12 rigs, but this is all theoretical anyway)  
 
For a NA based event, set up 5 geographic regions, and award a rig to the top SO HP & SO LP in each geographic region.
 
...hmmm, what about the QRP contingent? ...
 
This can get awfully messy, awfully fast.  And no matter how you slice the pie, I'd betcha apples to oranges that someone, somewhere, will complain that their region (they) are being unduly handicapped in favor of another region (someone else).
 
Incidentally... which HF rig?  This too is not a minor point.  If the rig is, say, a TS-480SAT (circa $1000 US right now), 10 rigs = $10,000.  Plus tax and shipping costs.  So you'd need at least 500 paid entries to just barely break even; and let's face it, many contesters would look at a rig at that level and say "why bother?" and not enter.  
 
Jump up to a K3S... specifically, a factory assempled K3S/100.  $2900 US right now (with a nickel change), as per Elecraft's web site.  10 rigs, Now you need 1450 entries, just to buy the radios.  That's a heck of a lot of entries.  (Granted, not figuring in quantity discounts or possible donations from the manufacturers, presuming for the moment that those won't happen -- at least not the first year)
 
I'm not rejecting the overall idea out of hand.  I just don't think the number of entries will buy the 10 or more HF radios being promised.  
 
I think we'd be better off with a raffle.  Which I believe is not legal to handle via the US mail at the present time.
 
I just don't think that this one's going to fly.
 
73, ron w3wn


On 06/05/15, ve4xt at mymts.net wrote:

Not illegal. Not advisable, but not illegal. 

You're not being paid to operate, you have the remote possibility of winning a prize. There is a world of difference. 

Given the need for a contest to draw a large pool of operators, and given that it's likely only those in select geographic locations will win a radio, it's a challenging business case. 

He wouldn't get my $20.

73, Kelly
ve4xt 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 5, 2015, at 8:27, "W0MU" <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
> 
> Why would it be illegal. You are not being paid. You are winning a prize. Ever heard of the Bermuda Contest?
> 
> 
> 
>> On 6/4/2015 6:16 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
>> I have no interest and I doubt such a thing would be legal.
>> 
>> John KK9A
>> 
>> 
>> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 150, Issue 6
>> From: "ncphotos at gmail.com" <ncphotos at gmail.com>
>> Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:12:55 -0400
>> 
>> Would anyone be interested in a contest that you had to pay a $20 entry fee?
>> I am still working on the rules.
>> 1-10 place would get a HF radio for there prize as long as I get enough
>> operators enter the contest to cover the cost of the prizes it should work.
>> 
>> 
>> Charles,
>> W2CSI,
>> W2CSI.com
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> 
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