[UK-CONTEST] April 2007 Radcom letters

[Tim Kirby]

Chris, I couldn't agree more. I was dismayed to see the letters. Presumably the lack of pro-contesting letters is an indication that none have been received rather than an editorial bias against contesting!

For what it's worth, I believe that keeping amateur radio alive is all about creating activity and interest. Contesting is by no means the only way of doing that but empirical evidence suggests that it gets more people on air than any other activity.

I have nothing but admiration for the fine band of experimenters who Steve, GW4ALG mentioned in a letter a month or two ago. But for the band of dog in the manger types that don't really want to be active themselves, but don't want anyone to be active in a way that doesn't fit their model of 
amateur radio as it was 20 years ago, I have a lot less sympathy!

May I suggest it is time for some pro-contesting letters to the editor! Do it now, rather than replying to this!

Tim, G4VXE
-- original message --
Subject:	[UK-CONTEST] April 2007 Radcom letters
From:	"Chris Tran" <zl1ct at gm7v.com>
Date:		29/03/2007 5:57 pm

Hello all

April 2007 Radcom - I am disappointed to see that 3 out of 9 letters in 'The 
Last Word - Letters' are what I would consider 'anti-contest'.  The general 
attacks on Don G3XTT's calm and reasoned arguments are sad - also there 
seems to be a measure of interpretation of what has been written to suit the 
correspondent's point of view.

I have very little sympathy for those who can't seem to make the slightest 
effort to have QSOs other than on empty bands. Their attitude seems to be 
that all contests are a disruption and that contesters are deliberately 
clogging the bands up with worthless QSOs.  The reality is that in 2007 :-
1. Contesters are the most motivated group in amateur radio
2. Contesters have to have a high degree of technical expertise to be 
successful
3. Contesting has spawned many recent technical developments
4. Contesters are constantly self-evaluating and improving their operating, 
equipment and antennas
5. Contesters will persevere with operating under poor propagation 
conditions, QRM, etc.
6. A good contest station makes day-to-day DXing easy

How many of the above qualities do these correspondents to Radcom have ?

73
Chris    GM3WOJ

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