[UK-CONTEST] R33 Stations

[Richard Newstead]

G4BUO wrote:

> I think it would be a shame if newcomers got the impression that the only 
> reason to operate a contest is in the hope of getting a certificate.Yes,  
> I enter a number of contests with the aim of winning, and have donefrom  
> time to time, but I operate many contests just for the fun of it,and to  
> practice my skills.

Dave

Whilst I agree generally, surely it is the motivation to win (or at least  
beat more people each time) that encourages people to get better? People  
who could not care less about their position will never do very well. I  
have often thought that there could be some short contests piggybacked  
onto something like the CQWW. How about the RSGB doing something in the  
last four hours of such a contest? That could be great fun for beginners  
with the added attraction of DX stations calling YOU for a new one.

Re encouraging people; I offered a few weeks ago on the microwave  
reflector to take someone along for an entry to the next microwave  
cumulative contest (next Sunday). I got no response whatever. That offer  
(27 July) remains open (contact me off reflector at g3cwi at tesco.net).

Unexpected certificates do occasionally arrive. I was somewhat surprised  
to get one recently from last year's CQWW VHF (World third). Not bad as I  
was only QRV for 4 hours and had backpacked to the site (real backpacking  
- not carpacking!). Now if I can do that, what could a club or even a  
couple of people manage? There are often more sections than entrants in  
VHF/UHF contests so with a bit of careful planning everyone can be a  
winner.

73

Richard
G3CWI
http://www.sotabeams.co.uk