[CQ-Contest] New Category Suggestion

[Rudy Bakalov]

IMHO, adding a category along the lines of what is being discussed, regardless of what we call it or how we define it, is a solution to a problem that does not exist.  Hams enter contests knowing upfront that there are better equipped stations out there. In fact, this goes even further- they know they don't have the stamina to last 48 hours, can barely copy morse code, have high levels of local band noise, etc.  That is, they know upfront that they can't win.

Also, IMHO, for a new category to be embraced, it needs to be:

1) Crystal clear, without any ambiguity, so that everybody understands where the lines are drawn. One vs many ops. 100W or more. One band vs all bands. You get the idea. Conversely, if the category results in endless and reoccurring debates on this reflector then it fails the clarity test.

2) Large enough to draw meaningful competition. Who wants to be the winner in a category with a total of 7 participants?

CQ WPX already offers the Tribander/Wires overlay. Simple definition, easy to understand, and does not lead to debates. It will be interesting to see how many people chose to enter.

Rudy N2WQ

Sent using a tiny keyboard.  Please excuse brevity, typos, or inappropriate autocorrect.


> On Sep 9, 2016, at 4:05 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
> 
> You're gonna wanna read this.
> 
> 
> 
> I really liked Andy's analogy below, but let me give you a REAL example of
> something to think about.
> 
> If I raced my Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Dodge Dart at the track every
> 
> weekend against like vehicles, it would seem "fair", right?
> 
> OK, some would have slightly fancier paintjobs, slightly better engines,
> stickier tires, tweaked suspensions,  etc
> 
> or a more experienced driver.  All good.
> 
> 
> 
> Now.
> 
> 
> 
> What if on every other weekend, Mr, Moneybags showed up and raced his
> 12cylinder Ferrari
> 
> 600hp beast and won every single race.  EVERY race he entered..and somehow,
> this was permitted
> 
> by the racing rules as he was a single driver.
> 
> 
> 
> Would that be allowed?
> 
> 
> 
> Of course not, it's ridiculous.  Makes no sense no matter what sport or
> hobby you are talking about.
> 
> 
> 
> Move to ham radio contesting.
> 
> 
> 
> If all the local guys have a tribander @ 48' and inverted Vees for 40/80 and
> an inverted L @ 40' for 160m
> 
> and some won and some lost, depending on their skill level , I think most in
> that area would be happy.
> 
> Some would add a 4-square for 40m, some would use a beverage on 160m, or try
> SO2R but all are "nearly" equal.  Fine.  Skill will play a key role.
> 
> 
> 
> Enter this: What if, this nice guy with 20 towers, huge arrays of stacked
> monobanders 10-40m, 4-squares on 80m/160m and a salt water take off showed
> up and won
> 
> every single contest he entered.
> 
> 
> 
> Nobody is saying he's not talented, not skilled, not a nice guy, or doing it
> all by the rules..add to that, he built the station with his own hands, own
> money or anything at all like that.
> 
> (I'd do the same)
> 
> It's just that he's driving a Ferrari and all the rest of you are driving
> any combination of a normal or slightly more or less than normal cars.
> 
> 
> 
> How would that make you feel?
> 
> 
> 
> How is this allowed or maybe a better question would be WHY is it not a
> different category?  At some point, it's even beyond "above average" and
> you've outgunned all your competition no matter what they do and even a
> mutant like N6MJ using a normal or above normal station could not beat this
> rival to the towers of the BBC or Radio Moscow.
> 
> 
> 
> I am not saying some guy that has 2 tribanders to your one tribander should
> be a different category (your race car analogy would elude to this) but
> 
> what I AM saying is your "normal station " versus a Monster Station, Super
> Station, Mega Station or whatever you want to call it, really, by any other
> 
> hobby should be classed separately.  
> 
> 
> 
> If more K3LR's, W3LPL's, NR4M's, LX7I, K9CT, DL1A, 9A1A,  and N6RO's were
> only single ops, we'd hear this discussed a lot. As it is, the contest
> community at large is blessed that these fellas share their stations with
> like minded individuals and you all benefit.
> 
> 
> 
> Brew on that.  
> 
> 
> 
> Respectfully, 
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA in NB
> 
> 
> 
> As someone who has worked and raced his own cars, and lost to "hired guns"
> 
> who show up and just strap in to the car someone else poured blood, sweat,
> 
> and tears into, you know what I did?
> 
> 
> 
> I worked my butt off to be a better driver, because I knew I'd never have
> 
> that kind of equipment on my own - or to hope to be noticed by someone who
> 
> DID have that kind of equipment who would put me in their car. I sure
> 
> didn't whine about it.
> 
> 
> 
> Don't like a "hired gun" beating you in your contest of choice after you
> 
> slaved to build a station? Real simple answer:
> 
> 
> 
> Get better at contesting, or stop complaining.
> 
> 
> 
> Full disclosure: I'm a guy who has a very modest home station (for various
> 
> reasons) who gets to play "hired gun" at someone else's nicely built and
> 
> engineered contest station. The awards and scoring records I've racked up
> 
> there as a single-op are as valid as any others. Don't like me beating you?
> 
> GET BETTER. It's a competition, not Romper Room.
> 
> 
> 
> "There is no terrible way to win. There is only winning." --Jean-Pierre
> 
> Sarti, "Grand Prix"
> 
> 
> 
> 73, Andy NY7N
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
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