[UK-CONTEST] G numbers

[G3SJJ]

> Firstly, I'm not sure that reducing RSGB events is going to cause more
> people to enter international events or other. You have no basis for this
!

Could be true, Dave, but neither is also trying to encourage people to enter
more RSGB events. We want people to enter 2 AFSs, 2 QRS Cumulatives,
2 160m contests, 2 Field Days, 2 BERUs, 2 21/28MHz events and then put
some serious effort into 2 ARRLs, 2 WPXs, 2 CQWW and countless Eu
events. And that is without considering the ever increasing social events,
several of which take up a full weekend. Like I said to Steve BLE, you have
to draw the line somewhere.

> How well do those societies publicise international events ? Not a poke at
> anyone, but just maybe we do not stir up enough interest in RadCom; which
> after all  is the Society shop window to the membership.

A reasonable thought. Certainly in the past, and Dave BUO knows the story
only too well, we have had to defend our space for RSGB events only. Tim
VXE does a good job on that and also manages to mention some non-RSGB
events but it is still left to Don XTT to try and fit in information on the
biggies.
I am sure Don would agree it is a difficult task, which he handles admirably
given the constraints of space.

What I am suggesting is that we begin, at last, to think "beyond the
envelope."
With a smaller portfolio of RSGB events, we could then consider giving more
encouragement in terms of  results listing, stories, hints and tips to the
biggies.

On the one hand we have declining participation in some events and on the
other,
we want to encourage more entires into CQWW, ARRL etc. It appears to me
that a radical re-think would come up with some very positive suggestions.

The scenario is slightly analagous to the local transport situation. Getting
to and from
work around here is a nightmare. Everyone wants to use their cars and the
roads are
just becoming more and more jammed. If I leave home at 0745, my journey to
work
takes around 45 minutes, and same in the evening. I now leave home around
0700
and work around 1530. The journey both ways takes no more than 10 or 12
minutes.
I have gained over an hour a day of usable time and am less stressed!!!

We are having a new tramway built which in time will ease congestion for
those people
unable to vary their hours, but of course many people just pour scorn on the
new systems.
"We're all right Jack, just leave us to sit in our traffic jams, we don't
need these silly
integrated traffic systems"

Well perhaps, **integrated systems** might just help!! You don't know until
you give it
a try.   73 Chris