[UK-CONTEST] Websites and all that

[Ray James]

--- On Sun, 28/6/09, Don Field <don.field at gmail.com> wrote:

> Running RSGB contests costs about 10p per member per year.
It only happens because of voluntary effort (and frankly, with some
> of the sniping which I see on here, I wonder that anyone volunteers when
> they could be contesting or spending time with their families).
> So, to go back to the beginning. If you find obvious broken
> links, let someone know. On other matters, don’t hold your breath.

I understood this thread to be about the websites and their links.
I can usually find what I'm looking for without too much of a problem so it was of little concern.
Don now includes non-website thread discussions into the equation regarding comments on volunteer efforts so I'm sure I will not be incorrect in assuming this includes myself and others whose main interest lies in matters of VHF+ contesting and who have discussed and/or made suggestions here. Therefore, his "On other matters, don’t hold your breath" statement says it all. We're not listening and we're not interested in any suggestions. 

I value all the volunteer work that members of the society do, and have done some myself in the past, but that doesn't mean putting them all on a pedestal of praise and giving a blanket seal of approval for each and every one and every decision they make on members behalf as some who gladly follow a blind faith principal do. If I feel they're doing a good job I'll say so or like the majority, say nothing and just accept that a task is in good experienced hands. If however the opposite occurs and certainly in some (not all) aspects of the Contest Committee that decisions are found wanting then as RSGB members, we're entitled to raise concerns. 

Call it sniping if you so desire Don but if you and your committee were generating rules and sections in VHF+ contests that put the needs of the UK first rather than the majority of locations pissing against a south east wind, was inclusive to the need of attracting greater foundation and intermediate presence, was helping to inspire greater whole UK activity on VHF+ and finally acknowledging that those that use current technology are not cheating but that you go after individuals that do rather than handcuff us all, then I for one would have nothing to complain about.
We can't afford blind faith. We can't afford friendship, DX group membership, Contest or Expedition group membership or any type of old pals act to get in the way of understanding we have a VHF+ problem and it's not going to go away until those in a position to make change take positive steps to do so. When, not if we start losing UHF and microwave bands because of lack of our secondary use, you and your committee as well as the VHF and Microwave managers will share much of the blame for not being more pro-active in averting such loss when you had the chance. 

73 Ray GM4CXM