[UK-CONTEST] G0TZZ queries

[Peter Bowyer]

On 24 January 2011 15:36, Chris  G3SVL <Chris at g3svl.com> wrote:
> The current top contesters were not born contesters - they started as
> 'mike-shy' and 'key-shy' in just the same way as today's new
> licensees.  Indeed until the introduction of the new license format
> there was no practical element to the exam (other than the morse
> test) at all.  So we were literally thrown in at the deep end the day
> our license arrived.
>
> And we learnt our skills on-air by competing against the then great
> contesters until we earned our place higher up the table.  I don't
> see what is different today.  And as for '... they can actually
> ACHIEVE something within a given event' - how about improving
> themselves in each contest - that's what I'm still trying to do 46 years on!

Indeed, Chris. Or (which is the route I took) they find a local
contest group and tag along. I've (almost) never contested from home,
in fact it's over 15 years since I had a home station - but I've
operated in almost all of the CQWW, CQWPX and IOTA events in that
time. And a whole list of NFDs, AFSs and countless VHF events from all
parts of the UK.

Your friendly local contest group will welcome someone willing to show
up and pull ropes / hammer in stakes / make tea in exchange for a bit
of mic / key practice when it's not too busy - and while you're in
their company you're learning all the time.

Peter G4MJS (op MD4K, G6PZ, M2A, G8T, 9M6A etc etc)