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

[colin at gm0rlz.entadsl.com]

I think
> there is an indication of a lack
> active participation in the hobby by UK licensees, contest activity is but
> one manifestation. Why?
Hi Peter / Chris

think the answer to your question is simple

I would hazard a guess that the majority of the really active contesters are retired!

 those of us in jobs are currently working harder and longer hours than ever before!

This means leisure time is at a premium. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people like 
myself are more inclined to be "picky" and set aside valuable time for contests which interest 
them.

This would explain increased activity for big contests in the callander and a drop in activity for 
lesser events. it would also explain the popularity of sprints and non weekend 24-48 hour 
events

Add in the creeping menace of noise pollution, planning restrictions and NIMBYism and there 
you have it!


How do you attract more participants?

I do not believe in levelling the playing field via equipment/antenna/power restrictions as this 
discourages innovation and self learning

We could all learn a lot from CPSARC who intend to sponsor new license holders so they 
can attend contest trips to Tiree for IOTA contest

There is sadly a lack of focus for people like myself who have huge noise polution problems 
at home. There has been a noticable drop in multi multi type operations due to a lack of 
support, lack of suitable premises, etc.

There are probably a lot of lost souls who would jump at the chance to get back in to 
contesting but opportunities are few and far between.

regards Colin GM0RLZ





On 5 Feb 2012 at 21:58, Peter Burden wrote:

> It is interesting to look at the amateur population figures at
> http://www.n0hr.com/ham_radio_population.htm
> I'm not sure how accurate these are or how up-to-date but it shows a German
> population of 971 amateurs per million and a UK figure of 942 per million.
> This shows a very similar level of take-up - I had initially suspected
> that the German figure might have been significantly higher for an
> engineering oriented hobby.
> 
> Chris's original comments referred to a higher level of participation in
> one particular contest, however it's
> also worth noting that German National Society (DARC) membership is higher
> and from my own VHF/UHF
> experience it is interesting to note that the German amateur movement have,
> for many years, published
> two specialist technical VHF/UHF periodicals (Dubus and VHF Communications)
> - in English.
> 
> i don't want to get involved in the minutiae of contest rules but I think
> there is an indication of a lack
> active participation in the hobby by UK licensees, contest activity is but
> one manifestation. Why?
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