[UK-CONTEST] Happy Contesting

[Gordon Brown]

Mike,
In a rare spare moment I did a paper exercise just to see if I was eligible for 
a Contest Call and was surprised to discover that I was.  I didn't give it 
another thought until one day I was pouring myself a drink and saw Gordon's G1N 
staring at me.  I didn't know if it had already been allocated but it was worth 
a try.
My only connection with the firm is that I prefer it to any other gin.
During Contests I put all of my limited resources into winning but not at all 
costs.  Enjoyment is more important that winning and if I stop enjoying Contests 
I can always go back to outdoor lawn bowls which is my second love and probably 
better for me.
The happy contester -
Gordon G1N


________________________________
From: Mike Farmer <G3VAO at ARRL.net>
To: Gordon Brown <gordonbrowns at btinternet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 23 November, 2010 6:45:21
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Happy Contesting

If this is your real attitude towards Contesting - why did you go to the
bother of getting G1N?

Mike
G3VAO

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gordon Brown" <gordonbrowns at btinternet.com>
To: <UK-Contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 11:10 PM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Happy Contesting


I am getting sick and tired of people on this group moaning and groaning
about
contest scoring etc. I have been entering contests under a number of call
signs
for over 50 years and I haven’t entered one with the sole purpose of
winning,
the main purpose is to enjoy operating although I have had some success
stories. I use a modest rig – an IC706 to an aerial that doesn’t draw too
much
attention to itself – a 40 m dipole up 37 feet. A beam, even for VHF, would
have at least one neighbour knocking at my door.
If I don’t think the rules of a contest give me a fair chance, like IOTA
where
single band entries are not allowed, then I just join in to give some points
away. If I merely wanted to win then I would buy a 2 kW amplifier and enter
the
QRP or LOW or even the high power section but where is the satisfaction in
that? Trying to stay awake for 48 hours isn’t fun especially as one rapidly
reaches 70 years old and is not particularly fit but I do it because I enjoy
operating under contest conditions so much. If I didn’t enjoy it I would
quickly find another hobby to fill my time – yes it is a hobby and if I won
a
big lottery prize then I would find an ideal spot for HF and VHF, buy an
amplifier for the maximum power I can run and have the best station in the
country but as I don’t do the lottery I will remain happy with my lot. One
contest I really enjoy is the RSGB Club Contest where I can pit myself
against
other local amateurs with similar stations and try to beat them – it’s a
friendly rivalry and encourages us all to improve our operating standards.
Oh
how I dream of the old days when I pitted my homebrew 6V6 TX, converted
broadcast rx and paper logs and check sheets against the world in contests.
I
never won but even now I remember the excitement.

In short – if you don’t enjoy it don’t pester me and fill up my mailbox with
your gripes.
CQWW this weekend 7MHz Low Power I’m excited already. Wife – pour me another
double single malt please.
The happiest amateur on the planet.
Gordon G3MZV G1N.