[UK-CONTEST] IARU Contest: Level playing-field?

[Peter Hobbs]

I have to agree with Gerry here, quite apart from the fact that there isn't 
a hope in hell of changing the rules, just because we don't happen to have 
the same indigenous support as the DLs.    Contests are won by taking any 
advantage that the rules offer.  It would be interesting to know just how 
many DLs called GB5HQ.  I seem to remember that the guidelines given by Dave 
before the event were that *we* shouldn't just work our own station as that 
would by inference be unfair.

"The DLs know how to win; the Brits are just good losers :-(  [ not directed
at the A1 GB5HQ team N.B.]" - Clive GW3NJW

Clive very accurately summarises the real situation here.  Perhaps we need 
to be a little un-British and adopt a similar strategy.  In fact a bit of 
wider publicity on the strategies adopted by these guys might do more to 
rustle up G support than the *honest broker* approach, especially those of a 
certain age . . .

Peter G3LET

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gerard Lynch" <gerrylynch at freenetname.co.uk>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 9:44 AM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] IARU Contest: Level playing-field?

> I know this is going to make me as popular as catching crabs, but I don't
> agree (and don't see what DA0HQ have done wrong, actually).
>
> Every contest has a set of rules, and every contest, with the arguable
> exception of WRTC, is *not* a level playing field.  Every one has distinct
> geographical advantages and disadvantages.  In pretty much any contest, I
> could go back to my parents' house in Belfast, string a doublet from their
> roof to the one of the guy behind us, and score more points than I can 
> with
> my 100 Watts and doublet does in London.
>
> Even better, I can jump on a plane to Bodrum, operate as TA3/G0RTN and get
> an even bigger score.
>
> All DA0HQ has done is exploit those advantages in the rules (unique
> advantages, given that Germany is totally impossible to win anything from,
> even Eu, in any other contest).
>
> So, let's say we get rid of in-country QSOs.  What happens then?  Well,
> no-one can beat R9HQ because those crafty Russians have contrived to have 
> a
> continental boundary running through their country and can work gazillions
> of Eus on 80 for 5 points a go.  Or URE will twig that if they set up shop
> in the Canaries, they're in five point heaven.  So then, everyone will 
> start
> whingeing about how unfair it is that no-one can beat them.
>
> Just look at the CQ-Contest reflector after CQ WW - full of people from 
> Ohio
> and Arkansas moaning about how biased the contest rules are towards the 
> East
> Coast (and inaccurately moaning about how Europeans can work each other 
> for
> 2 points a go on 80 when they only live in the next street).  If it's that
> big a deal, move to Massachussets.  Or Germany.
>
> Every contest has an in built geographical bias.  Move to point per
> kilometre scoring for big HF contests (which some moot as 'fairer') and 
> then
> ZD8 or LU will be the unbeatable places, and big contest groups will be
> eyeing up real estate in the Falklands.
>
> I think the total amateur population in DL is around 80,000 versus around
> 60,000 here (correct me if I'm wrong), and the population is also 
> ~80M:60M.
> But the number of QSOs you make in *any* operating event is significantly
> higher in favour of DL than this 4:3 ratio.  Very simply, Germany produces
> more active amateurs than the UK does, and gets more of them to work its 
> HQ
> station in the IARU contest.
>
> I'd rather discuss how we can close that gap, and close the points gap in
> other ways than moan about how "we wuz robbed (by those crafty 
> furriners)".
> I don't think the gap *in points terms* is uncloseable on the current
> figures.
>
> And one final thought - ARRL, JARL and CRSA always put on a big effort for
> this contest even though there's no way you can even come close to winning
> it from the States or the Far East.  I think that's what we call ham 
> spirit,
> isn't it?
>
> 73
>
> Gerry G0RTN
> Vanity Page at http://www.gerrylynch.co.uk
> "In days of old, when ops were bold, and sidebands not invented,
> The word would pass, by pounding brass, and all were well contented."
>
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>
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