[UK-CONTEST] U.K. contesting in 2012

[Chris G3SJJ]

Chris, you only have to read some of the recent negative comments on this Reflector to get some understanding of what is wrong. The mere mention of 
that terrible word "amplifiers" seems to bring out the worst. I recall a boring discussion a year or so ago about start and finish times. I didn't 
waste my time contributing.

Some years ago when I was adjudicating the IOTA Contest a member of one group rang me to complain that another group had been cheating. The basis of 
the complaint was that the group was based in a hotel and using mains electricity. The complainers thought that Field Day rules applied!!!

This theme is very noticeable in the UK where many groups or individuals take a negative attitude and try to make things hard for themselves.

In the recent power thread, did anyone actually say "Oh, I didn't realise, thanks for the clarification, I will up my power now" ??????? Nah, of 
course not, they were all too busy snivelling and drivelling!! ;-)

I always recall the comments of a successful contester I have operated with who told me "If the rules don't say you can't, you can." An intelligent 
approach, me thinks!

I think you are right about the Cumulatives etc. They don't encourage wider participation. One suggestion might be a team approach in some of the 
international events. Say, ARRL DX contests. A group of members each operating individually add their scores, like AFS.

And yes, let's support and encourage contest clubs and groups!!

Come on guys, let's have some POSITIVE comments rather than the usual "Can't Do, Mustn't Do" grumpy syndrome we have to endure!!!

Chris G3SJJ



On 05/02/2012 18:28, Chris Tran GM3WOJ wrote:
> Hello UK-contesters
>
> Contesting in the U.K. seems to me to be in a poor state.
>
> If we take the recent CQ 160 CW contest as an example, so far there are only
> 25 U.K. entries, of which 18 are from G. Contrast this with 132 entries from
> Germany. The population of Germany is approximatedly 25% higher than that of
> the U.K. (82M vs 62M)
>
> You will correctly point out that 160m is a difficult band to have an
> effective antenna, conditions were mediocre for this event, there are many
> U.K. amateurs who suffer planning regulations, TVI, BCI, QRN etc - all these
> are factors but there is an underlying problem.
>
> It seems to me that the current RSGB contests (CCs, AFS) are reasonably well
> supported, but the current HF Championship and AFS Super League rules do
> nothing to encourage AFS/CC entrants to participate in major international
> events (except for the IOTA contest)
>
> Unfortunately, it also appears (I may be wrong) as if the RSGB Contest
> Committee are making decisions in isolation, without full discussion about
> the implications of rule changes.
>
> Lastly, there does seem to be a negative attitude to 'contest clubs' here in
> the U.K. - in marked contrast to Germany where they are actively encouraged.
>
> 73
> Chris
> GM3WOJ
>
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