[UK-CONTEST] Contests

[Jim Martin]

I have just participated in Field Day ARRL style and am hooked.  What a
totally inclusive approach to contesting, any mode, any band, any power,
rig, antenna etc etc etc.  Just pick what you can do and off you go.
Organised club, group of friends, strangers with different interests, you
name it it's here.
I would advocate a new contest bringing in the best of this type of 'Ham
Feast' combined with ideas which suit our particular situation.
A question that has been asked time and time again is how do we introduce
others to contesting, particularly when their core interests lie else where.
Field Day has the answer! The CW op beside the phone op beside the Digi op
beside the VHFer beside the microwave boffin beside the guy who does not
really like to operate but loves the buzz of field day. My first exposure to
field day was in 1968 as a Scout camping in the same field as the local
radio club.  Great fun but not a lot to see and do!  Can you imagine the
range of opportunities visiting a multi mode field day site could bring in
the future?
This is a positive idea and one which has a lot of merit in my opinion.
If we believe change is required it must be time for people to put forward
concrete ideas on specific contests.
As a newbee to all of this I get confused when we seem to go round in
circles and do not promote ideas in a constructive way.  I think if we do
not get our RSGB contests into order then contesters will vote with their
feet and compete in other more interesting and rewarding events worldwide.
Jim
MM0BQI

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