[UK-CONTEST] WAB Contest

[Steve Knell]

I really like this idea Les.  It has parallels with IOTA, in that any WAB
centered contest would raise the profile of WAB awards and would based on an
established concept.  I guess it's much harder to come up with a new contest
from scratch.  Any HF+VHF WAB contest may also help bridge the divide
between some HF-only (like me!) and VHF-only operators.

I'd be surprised if some form of WAB contest didn't already exist at some
time - anyone know?

However, I like many others, would like to see greater promotion and
support, within the UK, of existing successful contests like EU SPRINT,
IOTA, ARRL and CQ WW.

73
Steve G0CKP

----- Original Message -----
From: Les Allwood <g3vqo at btinternet.com>
To: UK Contest Reflector <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 11:47 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Continuing the debate


> Hi All
>
> As usual, I've been following the debate about UK contests and the future.
It seems that certain points come up from several contributors -
>
> 1. the Jubilee Contest, fun as it was, is not a long-term "go-er" for a
variety of reasons
> 2. the need for getting the 2s, M3s, M5s etc into the contesting fold
> 3. the need for any UK-focussed contest to have sufficient activity and
multipliers to attract overseas participation
> 4. short, sharp contests for the oldies (include me there!!!)  or those
with non-radio interests without hours of fruitless calling
> 5. a range of categories to allow those outside the "big gun" club to have
a realistic chance
>
> Now, to digress for a moment, I recall that some of the first contests
that I participated in as an individual were the Worked All Britain events.
In those halcyon days of the 1970s they were well supported and great fun.
Sadly, these days they exist more in the calendar than on the bands - indeed
I won the LF CW event a couple of years ago as the only entrant!!!
>
> So why have I brought up the subject of WAB, anathema as it is to some
operators? Simply because I believe that these contests could be resurrected
into a useful part of the UK contest calendar.
>
> So, my reasons -
> 1. WAB is a widely recognised award, perhaps currently in the doldrums,
with thousands of award books distributed around the world. So, the latent
interest is there - I am often asked for my WAB area during various
contests, aren't you?
> 2. a quick listen around the recognised WAB net frequencies shows a
significant level of interest amongst those very M3s etc who we wish to
encourage
> 3. there are several thousand areas around the UK to use as multipliers -
some are easy to get, others nearly impossible, but there is something rare
to be activated near everybody
> 4. even casual "passers-by" in the contest will know their WAB area
> 5. it makes each and every UK station a potential multiplier, thus making
everybody feel "included"
>
> So, when would I envisage running these contests? Perhaps controversially,
I would suggest that the SSB event runs coincident with the last four hours
of CW NFD, whilst the CW event would run coincident with the last four hours
of SSB FD. This would allow the newer licencees to have a "fun" event
alongside the more serious field day, maybe utilising spare rigs or antennas
already on-site. It might also stir up additional activity and/or
participation in the main field day events. The timing, on a Sunday
afternoon, would allow a civilised mini-expedition to be mounted by
individual operators, whilst the duration would not tax anybody unduly.
Obviously, if the event "took off", it could be extended in the future, but
let's not rush!
>
> I am well aware that the WAB concept is a jealously-guarded beast -
rightly so. However, there is nothing wrong with a contest being organised
by somebody other than a national society - the various CQ events being a
prime example. The WAB group may feel that it wanted to share the burden
with the HFCC, or indeed to franchise the concept in its entirety, but the
options are there.
>
> I can see various problems of a conceptual, organisational or
quasi-political nature being raised, but I make these suggestions as a
possible way forward. In case you wonder, I have NO connection with the WAB
group other than as a bookholder/member, and I do not speak on their behalf.
>
> So, I have raised my head above the parapet once again. Come on folks,
what have I got wrong this time???
>
> 73 in trepidation
> Les, G3VQO
>
>
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