[UK-CONTEST] WRTC Selections

[Andrew Williamson]

All,

Been away for a while and came back to this interesting discussion....

Now that my call has been drawn into the discussion by a couple of
people (G3XTT and G3SJJ), let me expand a bit on some of the topics
raised.

Don G3XTT wrote

"it would be embarrassing if there was no UK team at all, which almost
happened on one occasion!"

I'm guessing that was in 1996 which was the only time that a (small)
notice was put in RadCom asking for applications (maybe 1990 as well,
but that was before I was licensed).  Obviously competitors couldn't be
found for the 1996 event without advertising.  There was certainly no
advertising for the 2000 and 2002 events.  Ironically, the only time a
non-G (me) represented Team-UK was when the position was advertised!!
Hmmm.

Also, for the 1996 event I couldn't have been considered a seasoned
contester as I'd only ever done one major contest (CQWW CW) seriously.
Admittedly, I did get a second in Europe in SOABHP but I was by no
stretch of the imagination an experienced contester at that time.  I'm
guessing no-one else applied so they had to take what they got!!!  I
would like to think I'm much better qualified to apply now ;-)  However,
as Robert GI0KOW said, people need to know who to apply to, when to
apply, and under what criteria.  For all anybody outside the inner
workings of the RSGB knew it could have been the board member who holds
the 'sport radio' portfolio, the HFCC or as suggested early on, G4BUO.

Don G3XTT also wrote

"It seems to come down to the usual British trait of not wanting to blow
one's own trumpet."

I'm not convinced on that one as contesters are competitive in nature
and are usually quite happy to brag about their achievements.  If people
don't know when or who to blow their trumpet to it can be difficult to
blow said trumpet.  If you tell us when to blow, you could get sweeter
music than you ever imagined ;-)  If you think people are afraid to blow
their trumpet, let me dispel that myth.  Between 1995 and 1999 I got
three 2nd EU and two 1st EU places in SOABHP in CQWW CW.  In 2000 and
2001 I placed highly in Europe in single band efforts on 10M and 15M
(don't know the exact places as I stopped getting CQ and the
certificates haven't arrived yet... anybody know?).  I currently hold
the UK records for SOABHP, 10M and 15M.  That's just CQWW CW, there is
still CQ WPX to start on.....

Steve GW0GEI wrote in response to Don G3XTT

"Point scoring? I think its called accountability."

I think Steve has hit the nail on the head.  There has been very little
or no accountability for the selection process for WRTC.  Don't get me
wrong, I'm not for one minute suggesting that the people who have
represented the UK in the past or the upcoming event in July haven't or
don't deserve to be there.  The UK has had some good talent representing
them, even if it has been difficult to find them.

The bottom line is that the whole process needs to be more open and
accountable.  As previously suggested, a league table should be set up
and then we could see at a glance where we all stood.  And to make it
totally fair, the table should be run under the selection criteria of
the current WRTC organising committee at the time.  That way no-one can
argue that it was deliberately biased to help certain regional areas.
Then at selection time, HFCC should start at the top of the table and
work their way down it until they get two people who are willing to
participate in WRTC.  Surely that is the only fair way to get the two
best UK operators who want to be there?

Andrew Williamson GI0NWG / AC6WI
Homepage = http://www.gi0nwg.freeserve.co.uk/

One of the ZL9CI gang
http://www.qsl.net/zl9ci/