[UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

Thu Feb 12 18:19:42 EST 2009

Well said, and I fully agree Steve. It is even cheaper now since, of 
course, we don't even have to pay £15 a year for our licence.

As regards volunteer work and time, Steve will know I have been there 
and got the T Shirt! Of course you are expected to be "on duty" 24 hours 
a day!

Thanks for all your efforts over the years!

Chris G3SJJ

Steve Knowles wrote:
> 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!
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> 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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