Topband: The East Coast Advantage

[Bob Kile]

The East Coast contest advantage discussion appears every year. The bottom 
line is it is a fact. The only way to correct it is to move East! I have no 
intentions of doing that as I like our wide open spaces, mountains and 
deserts. The same thing could apply to a NW African location or perhaps a 
location in the Caribbean.

I do not believe changing rules constantly is a good idea.  Why we went back 
to a 2200 start times baffles me. ON the left coast we either take a full day or 
several hours off from work to start the contest with very low yields. However 
those contacts can't ever be discarded if you want to score well from out 
West. I do believe that contests should remain constant in their application 
over their lifetime so that records and performance evaluations are 
meaningful. If you want a more level playing field, play in the Stu Perry.

It is however very rewarding to get within striking distance of the fabled 
TopTen list or even make it once in a while. This is not without it's costs, 
financially, time and impact on family. I have my limits as well. Some Top Band 
contest I've entered off and on for over 35 years. Others that I enjoy fall 
logistically at bad times. Some times Mother Nature does not cooperate.

What is truly lacking in the "Majors" is recognition and lack of awards that 
may be regional if nothing else. I cite sponsor/publishers bias as a 
contributing force due to limited pages for reporting..  For the West Coast on 
Top Band, "Trophy" is a fabled word except in Stu Perry or that wonderful 
freak propagation weekend. Years ago when I lived in the greater Seattle area 
as a member of the Western Washington DX Club and the rogue Rubber Circle 
Contest Club, we had local competition in the CQ160 contest. Donated by Danny 
Eskanazi K7SS, we had what was called the "Norma Shultz Award", which was an 
old discarded bowling trophy that was passed around for years to the top 
single operator score in the area. We passed along the trophy over pizza and 
beer. What a concept!

Only we ourselves can make it more interesting and challenging. I suggest that 
we step up to the plate and ad more trophies and awards for the West Coast. We 
could also increase the brackets for trophies to include more QRP and Low 
Power awards. 

73


-- 

Bob Kile, W7RH
DM35OS
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