[CQ-Contest] Observations of a young ham

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

I know that it was even discussed if ARRL and CQ should De-emphasize the 
overall winners and concentrate more on regional or divisional winners 
or even state winners.  I don't recall where that conversation went or 
ended.  That also takes us back to the level playing field which is 
really difficult.  I know that in the Rocky Mountain Division that 
includes NM, CO, WY and Utah that those in southern NM can have a big 
advantage over the other states and anyone out in the flats can have an 
advantage over those with 14,000 rf stop signs around them.

I would agree that the inability to be competitive can be a turn off.  
It is hard to sell, just beat your last score or try to win your state 
and not have people category shop.

W0MU

On 12/19/2016 1:08 PM, Jack Haverty wrote:
> The observations by and about young hams are right on target.  I think
> it's part of a bigger picture though.  There are plenty of not-so-young
> hams that fit the same description - they don't feel they have any
> chance of winning the game, and have found that "competing" in the role
> of a duck in the shooting gallery simply isn't much fun.
>
> I've known many hams who went through the process of getting the license
> and even set up a simple station, perhaps 100W and a G5RV, who tried
> contesting for a bit, got soundly trounced, and went on to do other
> things that were more fun.
>
> Before I moved, 2 years ago, I had done quite a bit of contesting.
> Never had much hope of winning anything with my 100W and a wire, but I
> did actually win a few certificates - mostly because no one else showed
> up in my assigned category/QTH.  Eventually, I'll probably set up my
> station again in the new QTH.  But I haven't had the urge to do it yet -
> just to hang up more losses in my log??.....
>
> People compete because they have a hope of winning, by showing their
> superior skills against their opponents.  Except for the few who have
> the right resources, e.g., location, and funds, and time, Ham Radio
> contests don't provide that hope.  Many, like me, participate a bit
> anyway, if only because we enjoy playing with the radio.  We provide the
> cannon fodder for the big guns.  Contests simply provide the venues when
> there are actually many other stations on the air.
>
> This topic comes up repeatedly, more often than the solar cycle.  About
> 3 years ago, I wrote up an idea for "Challenge Contesting", which I
> think still makes sense.  It requires no changes to any existing rules,
> and it lets everyone actually compete with plausible hope of winning.
>
> All it requires is probably a bit of organization and a probably larger
> bit of software.  Perhaps there's some interested kids out there who
> would find creating Challenge Contesting a challenge in itself...?
>
> Here's that idea from 2013 if anyone's curious:
>
> http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/2013-12/msg00098.html
>
> Pass it on to the kids...
>
> 73,
> /Jack de K3FIV
>
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