[UK-CONTEST] CQWW 160 SSB

[Roger G3SXW]

Dave - outside of contests (and DXpeditions) our bands are under-utilised. We risk losing our precious frequencies by defending the rights of that silent majority who pop up for an occasional chat once a week.

We must get real, come up to date. The hobby has moved on. Tens of thousands of contesters are enjoying the hobby, communicating, learning, pushing the technological envelope, providing the life-blood that the hobby so desperately needs, enthusiasm, band-occupancy, building super-stations, investigating weird propagation modes, learning new operating techniques, developing new software, The raw energy of contesters is energising the hobby.

So, here's the sociological/psychological interpretation: society is changing fast, the internet facilitates instant communication; we no longer need the ham bands to communicate, to help us feel less lonely. We use e-mail and IM, so instead of chatting on the air we do it via the internet. (I do not comment as to whether that's a good thing or not). But it leaves the ham bands without a 'purpose'.

That purpose is now competitive, i.e. contesting and DX-chasing.
73 de Roger/G3SXW.



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Cree 
  To: uk-contest at contesting.com 
  Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 7:26 PM
  Subject: [UK-CONTEST] CQWW 160 SSB


  Callum seems to have trouble with decimal places.
  There were 6065 entrants in CQWW SSB last year.

  I fully appreciate many stations participate but do not submit a log - 
  but the total participants is still a tiny percentage of the World's 
  Amateurs. The number of entrants from UK is but 1% of our licensed 
  Amateurs - who are we to say the other 99% are not to be considered - 
  and in my view that doesn't mean telling them to QSY to another Band.

  I just hope that many "average", seldom-contesting, operators have not 
  been reading the recent arrogant comments on this Reflector.

  Contesters should realise we are not Gods, and don't have a Divine right 
  to trample over anybody else on the Bands, although some seem to think 
  that is the case.

  Suggestions that Contesters can and do ignore band plans, especially 
  where they are associated with power limitations as on 160m, will only 
  bring our branch of the Hobby into further disrepute.

  RSGB and FOC have been promoting a "DX Code of Conduct". I trust 
  Contesters will also attempt to follow it.

  Finally Chris drew an analogy to Football - don't forget that even in 
  Amateur Football players are frequently fined, suspended and even banned 
  for Rule infringements -which includes bringing the game into disrepute.

  Now I've had my rant I will continue with preparations for ARRL SSB this 
  weekend - out to better last year's World 5th in Low Power section - 
  hopefully without antagonising anyone.

  Good luck to all those entering from UK. I hope 10m will be as wide open 
  as it was in the CW weekend - 1001 QSO's from here.

  Please remember that what is written on here can be read by anyone, not 
  just we Contesters.

  Dave J88DR (G3TBK)

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