[UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

[Steve Knowles]

Many (well, some [ I hope] ) will know me as a member of the Contests 
Committee.  However, this posting is outside the framework of the Committee 
and represents only my personal opinion!
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No-one is being turned away from contesting!  Anyone can take part in RSGB 
contests, even if they're not an RSGB member.  If they keep their own score 
they can see how they are doing with respect to the others.  They just don't 
get listed in the results table or qualify for awards.  And even if their 
efforts in the 80mCC series don't count for their club they can still take 
part and have a good time!

We have one school of people saying "Why should we be RSGB members when we 
are members of an affiliated society?" and another saying "We are RSGB 
members, why should we have to affiliate our club?"  It seems that everybody 
wants everything but no-one is prepared to pay!

Well, unfortunately nothing is free!  Certificates cost money to print and 
deliver - around £2 each at present - and we get through many hundreds each 
year.  Trophies cost even more in terms of maintenance, engraving, insurance 
etc.  All this has to be paid for out of the subscriptions of MEMBERS! 
Committee volunteers give massively of their time and money - few ever claim 
all the expenses to which they are entitled (and if they did they would be 
paid by MEMBERS) - but they do it for the benefit of the RSGB and its 
MEMBERS.

Outside the narrow world of contesting the RSGB works continually to protect 
our hobby against the predatory inroads of commercial radio, to preserve and 
even expand our frequency allocations, to improve our licencing conditions, 
to establish standards for emc etc. etc.  All this is paid for out of 
MEMBERS' subscriptions, yet EVERYONE benefits.

I hesitate to use the term 'freeloader' but, even without taking into 
account the concessional rates, if anyone can show me anybody who can prove 
he has less than 80p disposable income per week (one third of a pint of 
beer, one sixth of a packet of cigarettes or less than the cheapest cost of 
one journey on a London bus), but who can afford a rig and somewhere to hang 
an aerial, then I'LL pay his sub for a year!

When I went to join my local radio club as a 16-yr-old, still at school, the 
first thing given to me (after the welcoming handshake) was an application 
form for RSGB membership, and rightly so.  No less now than then, we need a 
strong National Society and we should all be doing everything we can to 
support RSGB.  That includes ensuring that everyone who is interested in 
contesting is fully involved in everything the Society can offer ... but as 
a MEMBER!

73

Steve   G3UFY






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Martin G0GFQ" <keith at g0gfq.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership


I must say that I totally agree with Peter, I feel the time has come to look
at these 2 contests in a similar light being as the club aspect is at it's
core. To expect every individual for a CLUB orientated contest to require
RSGB membership just to participate is out dated and short-sighted, when the
group itself is already affiliated in my opinion.

The AFS and the 80m CC contests are the ideal medium to generate interest
and act as an introduction to contesting for our newer licensee members. It
seems a bit of a double standard to me that we as course providers are
encouraged by the RSGB to bring new people into every aspect of this hobby.
Yet we're told to turn them away from exploring the joys of contesting
within the CLUB embodiment until you're a RSGB member!!

If any contest was the ideal vehicle as an introduction it must be the 80m
CC, as it now spreads itself over 7 months and has 3 different aspects/modes
of the hobby covered. If anything the CC should be the one to implement the
rule 1(b) as it provides the most sustained opportunity for new operators to
cut their teeth in contests!

Not everyone can afford £44 a year despite what has been said on here
previously, remember you need new blood in any sport or hobby for it's
continuation!

When you are first interested in amateur radio you'll join up with your
local club for the info required and then probably courses. Become a serious
about your contesting if not already you'll probably join and support your
National Society which means hobby remains...job done!

Time for a rule amendment I feel...

73

Keith "GØGFQ"


-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hobbs
Sent: 11 February 2009 20:48
To: UK Contest reflector
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Fw: RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

(Sorry, went to Justin and not the reflector)



I don't think anyone is arguing that the rules aren't clear as written. It
 just looks as though something has slipped through the cracks here -
there's
 no apparently good reason why AFS rule 1(b) (which clearly states that RSGB
 membership by individual club members is not required) should not apply to
 the CCs.  After all, the aims of both events are very similar.

73, Peter G3LET

>> Roger et al,
>> The requirement to be an RSGB and affiliated society member is nothing
>> new.  I suggest that it might be a good idea to read the rules of
>> contests that one is intending to enter!
>>
>> Justin, G4TSH

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