[UK-CONTEST] Domineering VHF Contest Stations

[Lee Volante]

Hi,

I thought the reason for having multiple sections in contests was meant to
(in part) alleviate the problem of being 'unable to win' ?  And in addition
to that, certificates for the leading Foundation, Intermediate Licensee, or
those running low power / single antennas etc.  For the many club centric
competitions, even if an entrant cannot win themselves, their result can
(and does) propel their team into the #1 spot.

The criteria that differentiates the different sections changes for
different contests, and with the example of the 144 UKAC / CC has been
amended recently after considerable deliberation to be more reflective of
'average stations' in an attempt to make chasing for the top spots per
section a more realistic challenge.  Also, we need to be considerate of the
'big guns' who have invested considerably in their stations - it's right
that they should expect a well operated, well engineered station to do well
surely?

Having a league table is just another way of dividing the entry base. This
does happen occasionally elsewhere - there is an HF BARTG RTTY contest with
a separate 'expert' table for previous high scorers. But this probably
couldn't be slotted in to many VHF events with their existing sections,
where the number of entrants per section may be quite low already, without
removing entrants or certificate positions that some people may already like
to chase.  A league table may be better for some, but almost certainly not
for others. Or do we follow the approach of modern day school sports days
where "everyone wins" in order to prevent bad feeling?

I'm not sure I agree with the comments that the big stations "always"
dominate. There are many RSGB VHF contests where the likes of the stations
mentioned don't participate. The calendar and rules are designed, in my
opinion, to give a wide variation in operating, and giving a variety of
stations and locations to win.  As is voiced here often,  there are
certainly other opinions and "you can't please everyone all of the time" but
on HF and VHF, there are many different individuals and groups that win
trophies, and hundreds of different recipients of certificates every year.
Some groups or individuals win more often, but that's to be expected
surely?  Even within a league, we can't expect an even balance of winners.
(Please insert your own Manchester United / Michael Schumacher etc. analogy
here.)

73,

Lee G0MTN


On 06/05/2009, DAVID BUTLER <g4asr at btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> David,
>
> Yes - that is very much the case.
>
> The few well sited VHF stations completely dominate vhf contesting.
>
> And although I'm one of them it's the main reason why I consiously stopped
> entering vhf contests a few years ago.
> I would often come 3rd or 4th place but even so it is still disheartening
> to know that the stations like - and no
> disrespect to them - G4DEZ, G4PIQ (where is he now?), G0KPW, GD0EMG will
> win time after time.
>
> It must put off new entrants (and seasoned operators) to know that they
> have no chance whatsoever of winning.
> Of course - many stations enter vhf contests just for the hell of it but
> there really is no incentive.
>
> I very much agree with having a league category based on the previous years
> performance.
> Afterall we have it in all types of sport and now that contesting is
> radiosport (sic!) why not do it for vhf contests.
>
> 73 David G4ASR  VHF Manager, RSGB
>
>
>