[UK-CONTEST] Unwelcome new rules for the 160m Tests

[QUENTIN COLLIER]

Just responding to Roger's point about laziness (below).....just a personal 
view, but I do find that a bit harsh.

Firstly, I learnt CW when I was 14 or 15 years old (which is probably the case 
for many amateurs of my generation and earlier) , and it's quite easy to learn 
stuff and pick up new skills at that age. But as we get older, it becomes more 
and more difficult (at least I'm finding that  to be the case!). Recognising 
that many (probably most) of today's new amateurs are not in the first flush of 
youth, we have to accept that the "barriers to entry" (to use a buzz term from 
the days before I retired) for CW competence are higher than they used to be.

Secondly, and I guess this feeds on from the first point, many new amateurs have 
heavy calls on their time (and dare I suggest interests?) other than amateur 
radio, and to put the effort in to gain CW proficiency may be more than they are 
able to manage.

Personally I think folks who don't make the effort are missing out on something 
good (but as a firm CW man I would say that wouldn't I?) - however that's their 
choice based on their individual circumstances.

Lest  I seem to be having a minor rant here, let me conclude by wishing you all 
a happy 2011 and see you on the bands (probably on CW.....)

73,



Quin G3WRR 



----- Original Message ----
From: Roger Cooke <g3ldi at yahoo.co.uk>
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday, 28 December, 2010 18:29:24
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Unwelcome new rules for the 160m Tests

Hi.

I apologise if I upset some of the newly licenced when I suggested the change 
was to placate those that complain
about not being able to do CW. This, of course, also applies to some of the 
not-so-newly licenced! 


1  Before I upset any more "newbies" reading this, I have nothing against 
"newbies" at all. 

  We have quite a number of non-CW people ( perhaps that is a less derogatory 
term? ) in NARC and I must
admit that I do push as many as I can into CW, being the GB2CW co-ordinator for 
my sins, so I guess you can
say that I am biased!  I do feel, however, that it is just laziness that 
prevents people attaining a CW skill, although
I do appreciate there are those that genuinely don't like it.  Good job they 
didn't try for a licence in 1956!
  
2    I also feel that this could be the beginning of a trend of "mixing the 
modes" to placate the non-CW people. 

It would make more sense to cut the duration by one hour and then run a separate 

SSB event another time. Separate
sections would pose no problem. The twain would never need to mix! 

3    I can also see problems with the power change necessary if moving freq. I 
wouldn't like to listen to QRP stations
in my S-9 of noise that I have to cope with if raining. 

4    SSB is also anti-social at midnight plus. Most of the newly licenced around 

this area have a garden about 12ft square.
I don't know quite how they would be encouraged to use top band!  

Bob, 5B4AGB was eruditely articulate in his summation.  Please keep the sections 

separate.

  

Regards from Roger, G3LDI
Swardeston, Norfolk.


      
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