[UK-CONTEST] Ethics & Financial restraints?

[Ken Eastty]

>
>
>  2010/1/10 Roger G3SXW <g3sxw at btinternet.com>:
> > Giles - I hope this is a wind - up. These 'contest clubs' are
> > simply groups of like-minded individuals whose local radio clubs
> > sometimes have no interest in contesting (or even in HF for that
> > matter). DX and Contest Clubs flourish throughout the world -
> > except in the UK. Odd that! And BTW, we have the same financial
> > restraints as any other group but we choose to prioritise
> > contesting, entirely with our own resources. Instead of criticising
> > contest groups you might consider congratulating them for breathing
> > sorely-needed fresh energy into our hobby. 73 de Roger/G3SXW.

I'm pleased that none of the major 'Contest Group' players appear to 
have objected
to my suggestion that the small groups of top operators who come 
together solely for
the purpose of entering contests should be classified separately from 
local clubs who draw
their contest teams from within their membership, the results speak for 
themselves.
I expect that most top operators first gain experience as club contest 
operator and not as part
of a C.G. which consists only of experienced operators. Rather than 
encouraging new operators
to contesting C.G.'s may well discourage operators of club entries who 
find that they can't compete
with these groups of very experienced operators.

I very much doubt that all amateurs have the same financial restraints, 
this is one of the beauties
of the hobby, there are amateurs who live in areas where there are 
swimming pools, tennis courts
& helipads in the back 'gardens' & others who live in 'two up two down' 
cottages.
There are plenty of amateurs using equipment costing many £k's and 
others whose entire station is
probably only worth a few hundred pounds. Assuming equal antennas (which 
of course is determined
by the size of garden & maybe value of the property) if the second chap 
is a good operator he may
well do better than the first, however if someone has spent £k's on an 
amplifier which enables him to
run considerably more than the legal power limit as some people have 
suggested that's another matter
and one which the HFCC should consider as grounds for disqualification.

73....

Ken

G3LVP