This is a subject that pops up from time to time. You do have a point. I
usually end up going to 30 or 17 meters to avoid the contests. The best times
that I have to operate are the weekends and it is irritating to jump on and
find the band filled with call signs and 59 or 599 reports. I have nothing
against contesting but, I do think there are too many of them. I saw a recent
ARRL poll that indicated that only about 20% of the ham population contest, if
I remember correctly. However, they sure seem to take up more than 20% of the
bands and time, in my opinion. I also enjoy QRP but, it seems you can forget
about the QRP calling frequencies during a contest or any frequency for that
matter. Either they occupy those frequencies, which they are entitled to do,
or they just step right on top of you because, they can't hear you. My K2
helps with that a little. It it weren't for the MOJO, I probably wouldn't be
able to operate at all during those times. :-)
On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:50:39 -0500
"Sandy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
The Japanese seemed to have gone "ape" on whistles and bells on the new
radios! I enjoy some contests, but the "contest" thing has gotten way out of
hand to my thinking. On weekends, what used to be "normal" ragchew
get-togethers have gotten to be battle the contesters for a space just to
"talk"! I have also seen a lot of talk about computer controlled automatic
"loggers" that also answer calls and make your contacts for you with little
intervention. What's the challenge there? I do enjoy some "sprints" on QRP,
but there are too many contests nowadays for a fellow to find a spot on the
band to "shoot the bull" like we did in the "old days".
Since the FCC decided to throw away Morse code, courtesy has all but
disappeared, and contests have almost totally taken over. There is little
places to go and have a CW QSO anymore. Most of the CW ops nowadays seem to
be contesters so you either join them or stay off the air. There seems to be
no place to go anymore on HF.
I don't think I will be even thinking of buying a K3 or especially an
IC-7700 unless I win the Lottery now. It's hard enough buying gasoline to
attend hamfests now.
73,
Sandy W5TVW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Shaun Oliver"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Bill W4ZV" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 5:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Contest Transceiver
I'm sorry to sound like some kind of whining bitch, but, is it me, or is
amateur radio fast becoming a pissing contest of sorts to see who has the
flashiest rig at the cost of a new car. I for one refuse to spend that
amount of money on a hobby I know I'll get alot of fun out of. I'm not
completely sure about contests and what place they hold within the amateur
community, but I'm sure there's a place and a reason for them. hell, I
might even try my hand at a couple when I finally gain me ticket.
you don't need the latest icom or kenwood or yaesu, which you'd have to
take out a mortgage to own, half the fun as far as I'm concerned is
working with what you have. and sometimes, that might be a pile of cow
shit, some duct tape, fencing wire for a feeder and a couple of aluminum
coke cans for a matching circuit, and an old valve radio that's been
beaten to death and still manages to put out it's full power. if the above
works, why change?
me, I'm all for having a nice long chat with the fellas and working a
little dx occasionally. I use to like to do that on the chocolate box but,
there's too many fools there for that to be any fun anymore.
sorry if I sound whiney but, yeah there you have it, my 2 cents worth.
On 18/03/2008 9:47 PM, the old scribe known as Bill W4ZV was able to
impart this pearl of wisdom:
W7is wrote:
If your interested in seeing the latest offering of a contest grade
transceiver, take a look at this link. Reading their brochure is a
real hoot!! During the next 10 days it will be making its official
debut.
Not news. IC-7700 was announced about the same time (i.e. Dayton last
year)
as the K3. You too can spend twice as much as a K3, with no Sub RX and
get
worse performance. I'm sure the contest gang will gobble these up...NOT.
You could buy 2 fully K3s outfitted for SO2R for less than one
IC-7700...but
it sure is pretty! ;-)
73, Bill
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