[UK-CONTEST] Inspiring new blood to contesting

[Bob Henderson]

A few years have gone by and I dare say some water has run under the
proverbial bridge, since I first became interested in contesting, but I
remember it all quite well.

As a SWL I often listened to contests on the HF bands and was fascinated by
this different kind of activity.  My first introduction to live contesting
came, as it did for many, through my membership of the local radio club and
attendance at NFD.  I was inspired by the teamwork and inspired even more by
what seemed to me to be fantastic levels of skill demonstrated by the
operators.  This exposure was enough to spark in me what has continued as a
life long interest in contesting.

I have no recollection of there having been "send slow" contests for novice
operators and I suspect that had there been, they would have seemed as
ridiculous to me then as they do now.  I do remember segments of bands in
RSGB CW contests being set aside as "QRS Corrals" for those who wanted to
participate at a more leisurely pace.  So far as I can remember, that scheme
seemed to work quite well.  In my view a "send slow" CW contest has as much
credibility as a "run slow" sprint would have on the athletics field.

So what could we do to encourage new blood?

Well I think the "QRS Corrals" in CW contests do have merit.  Perhaps
another avenue is in providing trophies or certificates of merit for those
who have been licensed to operate HF less than 1 or two years, to recognise
their participation and achievement in real contests.

Of course, one barrier to bringing new blood into CW contesting is IMO the
low level of CW rag-chew activity on the bands.  Rag-chewing has always been
a marvellous way to increase CW speed and proficiency but we hear so little
of it these days.

Contest groups and radio clubs have to be a primary vehicle for spreading
enthusiasm for contesting and we should all do our bit when the opportunity
arises.  Hopefully contest organisers will take steps to recognise
achievement among new contesters.

What IMO we should not do, is "dumb down" our contests in an attempt to
attract novices.  I simply do not believe such an approach will be
successful.  What it will almost certainly do however, is risk the loyalty
and interest of established contesters who are sure to find participation in
"run slowly sprints" both unattractive and unrewarding.

I believe in all life's endeavours, it is important not to risk carelessly
loosing what you have through being over zealous in pursuit of what you
want.  Let's try not to loose the interest of our "Old" contesters through
being over zealous in the pursuit of "New" ones.

Just my two penneth.

Bob 5B4AGN, P3F, ZC4ZM (G3ZEM)