[CQ-Contest] An Open Letter to the Radiosport Community

[Matt Murphy]

There are some *superb* ideas in this write-up, Ed.

I think it's worth considering on its own merits regardless of whether it's
deemed to fit into the WRTC mission.

Two other ideas that might be helpful would be to utilize either of the
following two mechanisms to increase fairness, etc.:

- Utilize a standardized location handicapping system based on the
performance of a standardized WSPR beacon at a each location, based on
readings taken for 30 days prior to the start of the contest.  I know this
topic is a can of worms, but may be worth considering due to the widespread
success of WSPR and simplicity of setting up standardized beacons.

- Utilize ex-post refereeing through the use of broadband SDR recordings.

73,
Matt NQ6N


On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 3:09 PM, Ed Sawyer <sawyered at earthlink.net> wrote:

> There are 2 important areas that many feel need improving in our sport -
>
> 1)      The addition of new, young talent into the radio sport community
>
> 2)      A fairer way of qualifying WRTC competitors
>
>
>
> There have been numerous discussions over the years of how to encourage and
> interest young people into the hobby given that the old days of
> "communicating is cool" and ham radio was one of the few ways a young
> person
> could take control of that and get involved, are over.  Comments suggest
> that group, physical, involvement with peers as well as real connection to
> hardware like antennas are a way to do that.  Seeing, participating,
> getting
> fairly quick feedback, having a chance to actually compete, and seeing
> others of young age, like them, involved all resonate as a success path.
>
>
>
> Typically, many young potential hams/contesters find their way into a local
> club as a starter once licensed.  Its old, boring, and no competitive
> environment.  Its over before its starts for 99.99% who venture down that
> route.
>
>
>
> Many discuss their first exposure to potential amateur radio contesting fun
> as Field Day - these occur in many countries - US, Canada, Russia, much of
> the EU, probably others as well.  Yet the typical field day set up is
> casual
> and mostly old guys hangin' around.  There are a few that would inspire
> interest in radio sport but often there the serious nature of the activity
> is less promoting of showing a youngster the ropes at a competitive level.
>
>
>
> At the WRTC qualifying level, the consistent claim is that the ability to
> qualify clearly requires talent, however, a very talented competitor that
> does not have a world class station in the right location for their
> qualifying region has virtually no chance of qualifying.  Despite how good
> he or she may be.
>
>
>
> I believe there is a chance to bring these 2 issues together.  A proposal
> for consideration and discussion:
>
>
>
> 1)      Change the way WRTC qualifying occurs after the 2018 event.  Have
> it
> occur as field day set ups during field day for that country.  2 person
> teams if that's what going to continue as the competition.  The team
> competes and qualifies or not as a team.  Local countries form a
> sanctioning
> and oversight group to insure fair play.  The simpler the antennas the
> better (40 ft push up pole and 20, 40, 80M dipoles would be my suggestion).
>
> 2)      Have 20% of the slots go to 25 and under teams.  At least 1 per
> country/region.
>
> 3)      Get the word out through social media and science teachers at the
> middle school and high school level to encourage the under 25 set.
>
> 4)      Have the results tallied separately and quickly by the sanctioning
> body of the country and publicized through social media.  No connection to
> actual Field Day results.  In fact, a more interesting scoring system
> should
> be considered (such as States as multipliers in the W/VE version of Field
> Day - contest within a contest just as WRTC 2014 did).
>
> 5)      Consider having WRTC itself be much simpler in set ups (like this
> qualifying suggestion) and occur every 2 years instead of 4.  Simpler,
> cheaper, more frequent - to foster the flow of competitors, especially the
> younger, more instantly gratifying, crowd.
>
> The above fosters peers, social, action, exposure, real competition,
> simplicity and frequent interaction.  It would require the WRTC to change
> its current process for the future and at least one, hopefully many,
> sanctioning contesting clubs in the key regions and countries to agree to
> provide sufficient oversight so as to insure fair competition.
>
>
>
> A minority of slots for WRTC would have to be qualified differently where
> large countries or regions do not have a conducive field day structure.
>
>
>
> My hope is that clubs discuss this.  WRTC discusses this.  Competitive
> radio
> sport enthusiasts discuss this.  And the younger crowd among us comment on
> its ability or lack of ability to address the current old, boring
> impression
> that so many get of our great hobby and sport.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed  N1UR
>
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