[UK-CONTEST] Newcomers to contesting

[Bernie McIntosh (GM4WZG)]

Tom, I think you raise very interesting points. I'm afraid I don't see
things the same way as you, but I'm glad you've brought up another angle on
this.

You say newcomers to contesting are switched off by constant talk of
skimmers and technology etc. 

Well can't we encourage newcomers by showing them that for the vast majority
of contesters, it genuinely is the taking part that counts.  How many folk
on this reflector have won a major world or national contest and how many
haven't ? (Don't all answer at once!) Leaving aside team efforts, I rather
guess there are quite a few of us in the also ran field. But we enjoy
contesting nevertheless.  Nowadays modern society is fixated on easy winning
and life being handed over on a plate. Well if that's your attitude, don't
go in for contesting.   Sorry, the grumpy old man is surfacing now :-)

  When it comes to making a competitive entry from home I frankly don't
stand a chance because of antenna limitations. Not only does it not stop me
taking part, but it also means I don't really have to worry too much about
the extra benefits that the Clive's of the world (sorry Clive !)can wreak
out of using a skimmer or whatever - it aint going to make much difference
to my chances of winning !   Doesn't stop me having fun and improving my
technique though (and in fact I do get more calls these days when I'm trying
to desperately keep my run frequency because those stations with skimmers
can find my paltry signal easier - skimmers might give their owners an
advantage but at least I get to enjoy more QSOs than before). 

It isn't easy to make rules so that contests are easier for newcomers to
win, but we should be showing them how to have fun while they're taking
part. If they enjoy the, ahem, "sport" from the beginning they'll take part
more and more and who knows, might eventually become the trophy winners of
tomorrow. 

Fortunately for beginners, many experienced folk put their  entry in even if
they only worked half and hour of a contest and got a few points. It really
is within the grasp of newcomers to not come last !! In fact in some
contests, not too difficult to keep out of the bottom third with fairly
minimal effort.  Incidently, that's why its supportive of contesting
generally to always put your entry in, even if it's a token one - it gives
us antenna challenged folk someone to beat !

Do the newcomers know that even with limited resource you can be working
flat out looking for S&P QSOs and possibly enjoy the odd run. Well they
won't know if all we talk about is how unfair everything is ! Lets face it,
99% of contesting is pretty unfair. Unfair because of where you're located,
what equipment you can afford, what antenna you can have, what propagation
you've got compared to other regions, what QRM you have to put up with etc.
etc. Lets just get over it and lets all try and be enthusiastic down the
local club instead of pessimistic.

Almost every weekend there is some kind of contest activity that a beginner
could take part in with simple gear.  Yes, others might have better and
bigger stations with more technology, and no, the beginner probably isn't
going to win but if someone can't get pleasure out of taking part, then
they're probably not going to enjoy contesting ever - we can't all be WPX
winners.

Sorry to waffle, but here's the real point -  So why would we want a contest
where "newcomers are not overwhelmed by technology" when in fact every
contest actually is like that ?

Yes, lets keep on refining the rules and lets maintain the different
sections so that everyone can maximise on their own abilities and facilities
- be it with restricted/QRP/portable etc. 

And lets not denigrate those contesters who have the passion, drive and
ability (yes ability - not just cash) to build winning stations as being
just on an ego trip. Common sense tells you that they enjoy the hobby too
and just want to do as well as they can. I don't mind when I don't win - I
just try to do the best I can with the resources I have available to me.
Shouldn't I permit others the same luxury ?

73


Bernie    



  

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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:20:41 +0100
From: Tom GM4FDM <tom at gm4fdm.com>
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] nfd rules
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Message-ID: <4DF66309.4020606 at gm4fdm.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I've been sitting on the sidelines with this one fretting and biting my
nails.

Its been sometime since I entered NFD so feel that my comments may be a
little (like me) dated!

Everybody bemoans the fact that there are not a lot of newcomers into
contests like NFD and its the same old clubs
that enter each year.   Recently I visited a Club populated mainly by 
MM3s   A fine bunch of lads, anxious to learn,
but just totally put off and switched off by the constant talk of skimmers,
60 foot towers, reverse beacon networks and
so on.   Is it possible that we could have one contest where newcomers 
would not feel overwhelmed with technology and that they could feel that
they are achieving something using the simplest of 
stations.   Yes, I know there is an open and a restricted section,
but all the recent talk on the reflector has been of ramping up the Contest
to satisfy the ego of the already elite.

There are many contests you can enter from home where you can use all the
receivers and skimmers you want, single operator 5 radios and amplifiers  if
you want it, but there should also be a contest like field day, where
everything is simple, newcomers are welcome, and the technologyis not over
their heads or beyond their means.

Tom
GM4FDM
GOM