[UK-CONTEST] CQ Couch Potatoes

[ronsmith at infoweb.abs.net]

The mail on support for contests and submission of logs in UK has been
interesting. A lot of valid points have been made, including apathy.
Couch-potatoism, other interests such as PCs and video games, and
touches of cultural decadence also causing decline in amateur radio
generally, as shown by Club attendance figures these days. A friend of
mine at South Manchester Club once said competitive spirit is dying. But
competetive spirit is alive and well when a big football match is on.
Wait for the hype of the World Cup this summer. For millions of people,
it will be highly exciting, but very passive and require no thought or
energy output while putting out roots on the couch.

Dave, G3NKC, raised an interesting point. How many use PC for logging?
Volumes of paper logs are an anti-climax after the excitement of the
event and it must deter operators, except high-scorers, from submitting
entries. I don't use a PC for real-time logging, but intend to try
whenever I settle down somewhere. But not here in Nigeria! Vagaries of
public power supply voltages puts rigs and PCs at risk.

I don't see RadCom very often - they are all at home waiting in their
plastic bags - but I would be interested to see an article in RC on the
technicalities, operation, and other issues, such as EMC and PC-RFI
reduction, on the use of PCs for logging. To be complete, the article
would include comparison of software types and facilities, log formats,
and an answer to that interesting question of - how many use PC logging?
Scope for a survey there - if people can be bothered to reply! Someone
on this so-popular reflector has the knowledge and skill to put such an
article together. I look forward to reading it.

Finally, can someone help me score my CC (BERU) log and forward it by
e-mail. Roger, G3SXW, did my CQWW CW for me. Thanks, Roger.
It's not a big job. I only had 20 QSOs handing out points and
multiplier, but in view of what has been said, I will submit a log.
Someone has to be at the bottom of the table! Thanks in anticipation.

Ron, 5N0/G3SVW
Lagos