[VHFcontesting] W3ZZ's QST Contesting Article

Tue Apr 8 10:39:51 EDT 2003

Cabrillo, like .TXT, is just a format. And it's a pretty good format. Part
of the problem is that it does NOT include such things as a pretty
band-by-band summary, nor an easy indication of dupes, etc. 

Now, there are accessory programs out there that allow you to summarize a
cabrillo submission and mine the information. Your own logging program (such
as either flavor of VHFTEST, Roverlog, CT, etc) should be able to mine the
appropriate info and tell you what you need to know. If we're going to
stumble over this as a topic of change, then our priorities are misdirected.

As for rewards for operating, this is one which needs discussion. Simple
recognition was a great thing in QST. I contend, that when ARRL stopped
sponsorship of the Sprints, and removed the results to NCJ (then abandoned
it altogether) it killed incentives to continue to operate these fun events.
Back in the heyday, it wasn't uncommon to work 100+ QSOs on 2m, and 60+ on
222/432. And I'm not in a high density area of the east coast, either. Now,
it's like pulling teeth to work 50+ stations, if that many even fire up!
Moving results to the website offers yet another disincentive to filing a
report. These results should NOT be a members-only thing, either. 

Adding categories of operation shouldn't become as Politically correct,
either. No classes for "Single-Operator, Limited Power, Limited antenna
(booms under 10'), limited elevation, IC-706" or "Rover, low power, FM HT,
1/4 wave whip". These categories should make sense, and create competition
in a logical manner. Perhaps a class like "Single-Op, Low Power, 4-Band" or
similar. That would encompass folks with an IC-706MKIIG, FT-100, TS-2000 and
the like. LOTS of those out there. They could then compete head-to-head,
without worrying about people with 300-band stations. Even a QRP FIXED
station class, recognizing that the FT-817 is SUPER popular. 

Aw, I dunno. But this thread is bringing out some good discussion. And I
appreciate the tone that it's been conducted with - VERY rational, sound
thinking, and frankly one of the better threads I've seen. Keep it up, guys.

-K2AXX

> 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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