Steve and group,
A local ham in our area started the SKCC and there was quite a bit of
interest in this. In fact, he mentioned to us that within a short time
that if we wanted a number below 1000 we would have to hurry to get one.
The point is that those who were interested in this signed up for a number.
I think that this appeals more to contester types or paper collectors,
of which there are quite a few out there with CW and voice since they
make up the greatest number of operators.
Probably the best example of the numbers game is the Ten-Ten
International organization. You have to join for at least one year to
get your number, after contacting 10 Ten-Ten members. Then it was good
for life to that individual, even if you changed calls. This was done to
promote 10 meters which at one time some were concerned could be lost
due to low activity, as was 11 meters, when it was taken away from hams
and given to the public for CB. They set up an awards program in
addition to the basic number.
With digital hams, you have quite a wide gamut of different interests
and perhaps contesting and paper chasing is not as as large a
percentage. And since we have very few hams who actually do digital
modes, that means there is not that many who are interested in
participating.
The DRCC is not really an organization like other groups and the hams
who have numbers did not join a group to receive them, so it is a very
different situation.
This reflector often discusses the modes and bands that we are using
various digital modes, especially when a new mode is first developed and
used. But it is not the primary interest of the participants which can
only be determined by their interests and what they value.
73,
Rick, KV9U
n6vl wrote:
Andy came up with a good idea a few weeks ago. He created the DRCC.
It is a spin off of the Straight Key Century Club, of which I am a
member. Unlike the SKCC, the DRCC hasn't taken off.
The SKCC reflector on Yahoo has a lot of activity with ops excited
about working CW the old fashioned way, with mechanically sent morse
code. The SKCC is similar to FISTS, arguably the most popular CW
organization.
Why can't the digitalradio reflector have a similar degree of
activity discussing modes, bands, and where to collect numbers. I
think this is what Andy hoped for. After he, issued the numbers, I
haven't sent a single message about how to go about collecting
numbers. Does this mean digital ops don't have the same enthusiasm as
CW ops? I don't think so.
Let's give the DRCC a shot!
73,
Steve N6VL
