[UK-CONTEST] Ropoco 1

[G3SXW]

RoPoCo is a lot of fun, a different format, I was a regular entrant for many 
years and even won it a couple of times.
I stopped doing it because a) getting out of bed so early on a Sunday 
morning was difficult!, and b) there was just not enough action, too few 
stations to work, the second hour being drudgery.
I'm sure this contest could be re-enlivened. Maybe both these problems could 
be solved at one stroke by making it late morning or even afternoon. There 
will always be someone disadvantaged by propagation at different times of 
the day and of the year but so be it. Not all contests provide a level 
playing-field for every entrant. The timing needs to be set to attract the 
biggest number of players, not be set to cater for a minority of distant 
stations.
If we try this and it doesn't work then reduce the duration to 90 minutes.
73 de Roger/G3SXW.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Hobbs" <peter at tilgate.co.uk>
To: "UK Contest reflector" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2007 5:48 PM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Ropoco 1


> As part of a clearing up chore after lunch for SHMBO, I came across a big 
> pile of old contest logs, amongst which was one for ROPOCO 1 1987.  Of the 
> 77 calls in my log, I was pleased to see that 16 have stuck with it until 
> today.  I also noted that the event started at 08Z, i.e. an hour later. 
> I'm sure this was because it was felt that earlier would give GM entrants 
> a better chance, but I suspect my 77 was well behind the leaders (only 57 
> today).  So, is 07Z too early for folks, or is this just another example 
> of declining interest?  Ropoco is perhaps a bit of an acquired taste but 
> always fun.
>
> I paid the penalty of finishing a final set-up CQ at 0659, to which a very 
> nice Frenchman replied.  Unfortunately his command of English was not 
> perfect and he responded to my 579 name peter tu es 73 with full detail 
> about himself, his station, the weather and various other matters.  As I 
> said, he was a very nice guy so that was 5 critical minutes lost, plus 
> another 5 or 10 trying to satisfy G0JSC (no, ignoring him just doesn't 
> work!).  Unfortunately, no email address is posted on QRZ.com.    If 
> anyone happens to know it, I have the whole episode on .mp3 - the penny 
> might drop if he just heard himself!
>
> 73, Peter G3LET
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