[UK-CONTEST] Contesting + support

[David Barber]

After the recent negativity I am heartened to see today's postings by John
MM0JXI, Roger G3LDI and Tim M0AFJ presenting a balanced view by experienced
operators of what is needed.  Arguably the thoughts could equally be applied
to many other areas of AR.

Roger mentions "brainwashed by trainers", perhaps a little harsh (or tongue
in cheek perhaps) when all they are doing is equipping newcomers to pass the
exam.  Unfortunately this is what happens when you remove the
'apprenticeship' served by many of us at the hands of our peers and replace
it with sound bites such as:

"Become a Licensed Radio Amateur in Just 12 hours!"

which debases the privilege and responsibility of holding a licence and
fails to equip the newcomer with the wonder of the hobbies diversity.  

With a few more inspirational postings the basis for an article in RadCom
could be realised or perhaps the publication of an edited composite of
postings to stir debate in the wider arena?

David