[UK-CONTEST] Newbie Contesters

[Chris G3SJJ]

A correction for you Martin. There is no requirement in RSGB or any 
other Society sponsored contests to use a computer during the contest. 
There always has been, though, a requirement to present your log in a 
neat and tidy manner conforming to the rules. In the days of paper 
logging this meant laboriously re-writing them on approved layout sheets 
and also filling in the appropriate summary sheet, forms HFC1 and 2 I 
recall.  Additionally if you wanted confirmation of receipt, you had to 
include a stamped and addressed postcard, then address an envelope to 
the adjudicator, whose name and address you could find in the issue of 
Radcom which had the rules for that specific contest, buy a stamp and 
post your envelope off.

Nowadays there is a system which cuts a lot of that time wasting stuff 
out. Most people have access to a computer somewhere. EI5DI's SD is 
simple enough for anyone to be able enter the QSOs and produce the log 
automatically in the more modern form now specified. You can then 
quickly email it off and automatically get a receipt of your log.

Of course, if you want to make more work for the unpaid volunteer you 
can just post off a scrap of paper with some scrawly writing on and 
expect them to do your job for you, in addition to running all the logs 
through the checking software!

Ref the 80m CC, I also see that a different way. If you have a good 
cross section of operator expertise you will easily be able to see the 
difference and learn who is "slicker" ie more efficient and passing 
traffic, which is what it is all about. They are the people you are 
trying to emulate.

Chris G3SJJ



Martin Snow wrote:
> By the ‘eck, aren’t we lucky!
>
> A good burst of GB7HQ last weekend and everybody is coming
> out of the woodwork telling all how we should encourage newbies to partake of
> contesting!
>
> OK Richard, I thought we were talking HF here, but thanks
> anyway.
>
> I may have an old, and personal, c/s but I’m quite new to
> this contesting business. I’ve only been doing AFS for about 5 or 6 years,
> gradually coming into the more complex contests recently. I suspect this is only
> because I like CW and we are short on CW ops round here.
>
> A lot of very good points have been made by our most
> experienced contesters. Only one person hit the nail on the head, in my view.
>
> Taking the simple approach, and that of a complete newbie.
> He/she has not enough knowledge & experience to have bought the right
> complex equipment to enter the special contests suggested. The RSGB CCs were
> designed to replace the QRS Cumulatives, and are the least complicated of the
> present contests on offer.  But the
> present system imposes an immediate limitation on a complete newbie. This is
> the Cabrillo file entry.  Even if the
> newbie has the wit to find out what a Cabrillo file is, he/she needs a computer
> to log.
>
> If, it is as you are all saying – that you want to encourage
> the newest and most basic Fundamental/Intermediate licensee to join in the
> contesting fray, then he/she will have only the most basic equipment (maybe
> only home-brewed TX & Rx [ideally ! ]) and quite possibly not computer
> logging.
>
> I suggest that the present contests are fine. But a new
> section be added on to the CCs, whereby the newbies can enter a basic paper log,
> with perhaps only 5 QSOs therein, and for which he/she receives a certificate
> to show that he/she has entered a contest!
>
> A certificate dropping, unexpectedly, on the door-mat will
> do more to boost the morale and confidence than anything else. It doesn’t even
> have to be a certificate, a simple letter, welcoming the entrant to the world
> of contesting would do.
>
> When dealing with newbies, the old adage applies – KISS –
> Keep It Simple Stupid!
>
> One point I would make though, is that I think the simplest
> of contests, the CCs, are being hi-jacked by the ‘serious’ contesters. There
> are some thumping great signals there, and some very fast CW!  I hope the ‘serious’ guys will forgive me for
> suggesting that the CCs need to be kept as the simplest of contests, to fulfil
> your wish, to encourage new and unsophisticated contesters upcoming.
>
> 73 de Martin, gw3prl. Anglesey.  (EU124 ex!)
>
>
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