[UK-CONTEST] Decline in 2m contest activity

[gm4fam at tiscali.co.uk]

I can see the advantages of KST when no contests are running and QSOs 
are far more of a random nature; but during a contest (with defined 
time periods) I believe it shouldn't be used.

I wonder how anyone managed to make contest QSOs in the 60s, 70s and 
80s?

Inferior equipment, heavier and less gainy antennas, batteries (or 
expensive heavy gennies) were all used to make contacts.

No internet, no KST, no crutches, lotsa CW used for weak signal work 
by competent individuals who enjoyed their craft - great satisfaction 
gained in making the gear work and the thrill of even one QSO with some 
good DX - and ALL done under the participant's OWN steam and 
initiative.

Now the keyboard and screen enjoy more priority than the ability to be 
versatile on mode use - its considered just as important (if not more) 
to arrange contest QSOs via a 3rd party than actually make the effort 
and be on the air.  That's not 2-way communication - its 3-way!  And it 
certainly isn't contesting.

IMHO doing well in a contest with chat support is like buying a fish 
at the supermarket, putting it in a jar on the mantlepiece and then 
claiming credit for catching it by yourself - similar smell too.

73 Cris
GM4FAM




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