[VHFcontesting] W3ZZ's QST Contesting Article

Ed Kucharski k3dne at adelphia.net
Tue Apr 8 01:20:24 EDT 2003


At 08:30 PM 4/7/2003 -0400, Ev Tupis (W2EV) wrote:

>One submits a log because it's easy to do and they are somehow rewarded for
>doing so.  I guess the questions that really needs to be asked are these:
>
>o How can log submission be made easier?
>o How should log submitters be rewarded?

Good questions... I have been involved in vhf+ contesting since 1972 (my 
first (ever) QSO was in the 1972 January VHF SS on 50.28 AM using my 
elmer's homebrew portable 6m rig).  My vhf+ station has grown from a single 
band station in the 70's to a 7 band station now (with 3 more bands planned 
in the next couple of years) and I am very concerned about the declining 
participation and log submittal trends noted in this thread and in W3ZZ's 
QST article.

o How can log submission be made easier?

How much easier can log submission be?  If you have a computer with contest 
logging software that supports cabrillo there is not much to it.  In my 
case, either with VHFTEST (my primary vhf+ contest logging software which 
is a free download) or Writelog (my primary HF contest logging software) I 
can produce a cabrillo report and with a couple of clicks of my mouse and 
keyboard attach it to an email and send it to ARRL or CQ.  Sure beats the 
old days when I would completely recopy my hand written log and check 
sheets then photo copy it for my records, put lots of stamps on the manilla 
envelope and send it to 225 Main St, Newington...  I know some will say 
that they don't have a computer yet or can't afford one - this argument may 
have some validity but IMHO if you can put together a vhf+ station capable 
of making contacts in a contest then you can pick up a cheap used computer 
(VHFTEST runs on my old 286 machine) and use it for logging.  Even if you 
don't have internet access at home the log could be transferred to disc and 
sent from the computer at a local public library, work or a friend could 
email it for you (not even a ham friend).  If you don't have a computer or 
access to one you can still send in your paper log!

o How should log submitters be rewarded?

Rewards for log submission are not as easy.  Previously, at a minimum, to 
be rewarded for submitting a log you could at least see your call in 
QST.   That reward has been taken away unless you place in the top 10 in 
your category. Now the most basic reward (of seeing your call in print) is 
by looking at the ARRL Members Only web site contest results - I think this 
ARRL decision will certainly hurt vhf+ contest participation and log 
submission.  The casual vhf op may now wonder if he should 1) even bother 
to op the contest or 2) op the contest but not send in a log since his call 
will probably not appear in QST anyway.

Participation pins were popular several years ago but did they really 
encourage participation and log submittal?  Would t-shirts, hats or coffee 
mugs help?  If so, who would pay for these?  ARRL continues to struggle to 
get plaques sponsored for the June VHF QSO Party.

To truly be rewarded one must either finish in the top ten or be a single 
band section winner (to receive a certificate - it still doesn't get your 
call in QST) - I think that both these goals are difficult for the casual 
vhf+ operator with the categories that presently exist.  Should there be 
additional categories?  I had been previously opposed to more categories 
but my mind is open to anything that would increase participation and log 
submittal.  Would Limited Single-op High and Low Power and Limited Rover 
categories help (limited in that the op would choose the 4 bands to submit 
scores for similar to the Limited Multi that now exists)?  Hopefully this 
would be a stepping stone to unlimited participation and involvement in the 
microwave bands (I have always been concerned that the limited categories 
would stagnate stations at that level and not encourage expansion of their 
station into the microwave spectrum).  Should there be ARRL section band 
winners for each category and have the calls listed in QST?  If listing 
them in QST is not an option (as I suspect) at least awarding a certificate 
to the ARRL section band winners (in all categories) AND a separate listing 
box in the Members Only site.  For contests with club competition I would 
urge clubs to internally reward their members for participating and 
submitting a log (with certificates, gavels, trophies, pizza and beer, 
listing scores in the club newsletter etc.) or set up some club 
competitions within the club to increase participation.

I hope we can all come to some consensus on ideas to increase participation 
and log submissions and then convince ARRL to act on these ideas.

73,
Ed K3DNE

(How about that - an entire email on vhf+ contesting and I didn't once 
mention that I really like the idea of a distance scoring scheme in one of 
the vhf+ contests - amazing!)









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