[CQ-Contest] Open Letter to VE Contesters

[Kelly Taylor]

HI Ed,

So can I put you in touch with a real estate agent? ;=)

I’ve never asked for sympathy from W1s about our lot in most contests, but the response to suggestions about the lack of propagation in VE4 is usually “shut up and move.” (Not quite so harshly stated, but the overall sentiment is the same.)

I can’t disagree with that. It’s nobody’s fault but mine I still live here, but I accept my lot.

But perhaps just like we have to accept our lot in almost every contest but SS, maybe you could accept American dominance (relative to VEs) in contests such as ARRL DX CW, WW and WPX and accept that ARRL DX SSB might favour VEs…

73, kelly, ve4xt 



> On Feb 23, 2016, at 9:17 AM, Ed Sawyer <sawyered at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> Kelly, I agree with you that, like VEs out your way are not challenging the
> East Coast of NA regardless of sub band advantage in this contest.  However,
> there are many more stations than VY2ZM and VY2TT that take well advantage
> of this rule.  VE3EJ is for sure another to add to the list as is VO1MP,
> VA3DX.  There could be others.
> 
> Its simply a request to state that which we all know.  It's not a fair
> practice to have your own spectrum and compete as if all is the same.  
> 
> Its one thing to discuss competition within regions like NA or Europe, but
> in this case, there is no US winner.  There is only a VE/US winner.
> 
> I wish I could see a way to change the rules to make US and Canada separate
> categories but it doesn't really make sense given the contest structure.
> 
> Ed  N1UR
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ve4xt at mymts.net [mailto:ve4xt at mymts.net] 
> Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 9:00 AM
> To: sawyered at earthlink.net
> Cc: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Open Letter to VE Contesters
> 
> A curious letter given the two stations most likely to benefit from our lack
> of sub-bands... are owned by Americans.
> 
> The truth is, Ed, stations between Sault St. Marie and Penticton are highly
> unlikely to win much of anything anyway. We just don't have the propagation.
> Stations in VE4 and VE5 could break every rule in the book (save for
> undeclared remote transmitting and receiving sites) and still pale in
> comparison with stations on any of NA's coasts. A 20-kw amplifier would be
> of little benefit considering we can usually only hear the top layer anyway
> and get band openings as much as two or sometimes three hours after you.
> 
> The ultimate place to contest from in Canada is probably VY2. You might have
> a case to make with those guys.
> 
> Not that we're complaining, mind you. But just like a K1 might say "If you
> like our propagational advantage so much, move here!" I'd just say for the
> record, Ed, you would be welcomed with open arms as a new Canadian.  
> 
> Now, if we could trade our freedom for your propagation, I'd probably make
> that deal.
> 
> 73, kelly, ve4xt,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Feb 23, 2016, at 6:23 AM, Ed Sawyer <sawyered at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> 
>> With the upcoming ARRL SSB contest, why not see if you can actually 
>> beat us this year by voluntarily abiding by the US Phone Sub bands.  
>> Its really kind of silly to think you have won something (other than 
>> the other similarly minded VEs) to sit on 21195 or 14145 and 7120 and 
>> CQ all day undisturbed while the rest of us fight it out above you.  Don't
> you think?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I personally think that this should become a rule change for this contest.
>> But getting the ARRL to change the rule is not going to be easy.  And 
>> a survey is kind of a joke since I would expect that virtually every 
>> US responder would agree and last I checked, the ratio of US to VE is 
>> about 10:1.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Nothing being done wrong by continuing practice.the rules do not speak 
>> on this issue.  But it would feel so much better to win and know you 
>> did it this way.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 73
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Ed  N1UR
>> 
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>