[UK-CONTEST] GB7HQ support

[Chris G3SJJ]

I totally agree with you Cris. I served on HFCC for 15 years and can say 
that irrespective of the Radcom issues, it was a constant battle keeping 
contesting afloat. One year I had to threaten to pull the Trophy 
presentation out of the HF Convention as the President at that time 
couldn't see any reason for them to be retained by the recipients for a 
year. He wanted them kept in a glass case at HQ.

Our current President Colin and Don G3XTT are of course contest and DX 
oriented so we will get a better deal. Thanks guys.

I have though been constantly puzzled over the years as to why the 
Society engenders negative attitudes towards contesting, yet it supports 
and sponsors them through its official contest committees. I agree about 
democracy but the Society should ALWAYS be supportive of contesting, it 
is much part of the Society as book selling is now, but like you say has 
an even longer history and many distinguished participants. 
(Interestingly I am having a similar type of discussion with another 
aspect of the hobby I am involved which also appears to see contesting 
in a negative light, at least in the UK.)

The Society should not be afraid of saying contesting is good, and 
indeed should be actively promoting it as a very positive aspect of the 
hobby.

Chris G3SJJ



gm4fam at tiscali.co.uk wrote:
> Colin
> I am not against anyone having an opinion nor their right to air their 
> views.
>
> What I AM against is the continual non-constructive and morale-sapping 
> criticism about a specific activity which has been in existence since 
> well before I was born.
>
> When I receive my RadCom each month I want to see evidence of, and 
> read news about, people DOING something - it doesn't matter a fig that 
> sometimes at least half of the content is of no particular interest to 
> this reader; what it SHOULD show to anyone who goes through its pages, 
> whether newcomer, casual reader or anyone else is that the RSGB's 
> publication for members reflects its total support for positive 
> activity and a diverse interest in all things Amateur Radio.  I would 
> contend that the RSGB's well-intentioned aim of being a democratic 
> organisation and continually allowing this sterile anti-contest debate 
> in its journal's pages benefits no-one in the end, whatever the opinion 
> of the audience - it could even turn potential members away.
>
> Let the anti brigade start their own journal to rival the popular pro-
> contest NCJ; they could even use the same  abbreviated title which 
> would stand for Non-Contest Journal - I bet it wouldn't get past Issue 
> 1.
>
> 73 Cris
> GM4FAM
>
>   
>> It should be remembered that the RSGB is considered a democratic 
>> organisation and every member has a right to an opinion.   There is 
>>     
> also 
>   
>> a disclaimer in "The Last Word" column that the opinions of the 
>>     
> letter 
>   
>> writers are not necessarily RSGB policy.
>>