Topband: ARRL 160m contest and DX Window?

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

On Mon, Dec 1, 2014 at 12:52 PM, Tom W8JI <w8ji at w8ji.com> wrote:

> The ARRL 160 contest is an ARRL contest centered around the ARRL, much
> like SS and Field Day are ARRL contests.
>
> Since it is an ARRL-centric contest, it makes complete sense the score
> multiplier is queued to ARRL sections and not DX countries.
>

Indeed.  The alternative contest is called the CQ 160, and has different
rules, and does NOT have the DX window.

Is there some reason why we would want all contests with the same rules?

And then there is this other thing: The contest organizers get to set their
own rules. The contest organizers do all the work and publish results and
send out certificates and plaques. They own all the dogs in the fight.

Seems to me at least, that when hams significantly don't like a contest,
they are eminently capable of voting with their feet and often do. Those
who don't like the grid square emphasis of the Stew Perry just don't show
up. If they DO show up, grid squares must not be THAT much of a problem.

The grid squares, and the hours rules, create a very different contest, and
it's fun to figure out how to optimize for that.

Everybody has their druthers about these things. Nothing is ever going to
satisfy everyone. Make your case to the organizers for a rules change and
then let it go. They will either listen or they won't. It's their omelet.

Me, I like the variety in the rules.

73, Guy K2AV