[RTTY] Contest Operating

[J. Edward (Ed) Muns]

> wk6i.jeff at gmail.com wrote: "But if any of you know any of those folks that
> insist on 1) sending the exchange in response to CQ all at once with their
> call and/or 2)
> sending my call 3 times and their call once in response to my CQ
> and/or 3) sending 599 or 5NN multiple times; please take them under
> your wing and show them the Right Way."

k4ww at arrl.net replied:
> 
> As I've said before, and continue to say: "keep a record of those
> "offenders" during the contest, and, post contest, take the time to send
> them an email, with your idea of "the Right Way"! Please don't tell me
> "there is no time, during the contest to do this"! We make time for what
> we
> want to do. Most that are serious, make many pre-contest preparations?
> Making a note pad, for those "offending" stations, should be part of the
> pre-contest preparation? Don't depend on someone else "taking them under
> their wing", if you really want it done, do it yourself.

Good points by buddies Jeff and Shelby.  At the same time, I'd hate for the
serious contester's version of the "right" contesting style to discourage
casual participants from joining our contests.  We should work hard at being
inclusive in contesting because none of us can contest on our own.  We all
need each other for this game to work.  Many of the stations who join us in
Round-Up and other contests do so for their own non-contesting reasons.
Let's keep this in mind when we attempt to correct someone else's operating
behavior.  It's good to raise the general competence of contesting as long
as it is balanced with encouraging lots of participation by welcoming
diversity.

As much as anyone, I get frustrated when my rate is reduced by a station
responding with a ridiculously long exchange (in my biased opinion).  On the
other hand, I also really appreciate this station calling me to help meet my
goals.  Ideally, these stations' operating style will become more
contest-efficient in time, rather than them feeling chased away by a bunch
of elitist contesters.  As Shelby astutely reminds us, training each other
is an important part of the time and effort that goes into preparation by
the serious contester.

Ed - P49X (W0YK)