I didn't realize that 160 and all its challenges to get on this band with a decent xmit and receive antennas was the birthplace of new contesters.
On 12/4/11 8:39 AM, Herb Schoenbohm wrote: > On 12/4/2011 11:09 AM, Eddy Swynar wrote: > > Rather than decry the format of the event, why not celebrate it as a > potential birthplace for to-morrow's contestors...? > > > > > > Eddy....I will tell you why......The ARRL 160 is and always has been a > disappointment in turn out and DX. Not so much that it treats the amateurs > in the U.S. Territories as second class hams, but the fact that it not even a > challenge as a radio competition to participate in. For station only miles > away in VP2V there could be some interests but even there they are prohibited > from working any real DX and must EPA in the log a zillion times. At least > their results will get listed in the QST published results if they get on for > more than a few hours. > > In a contest that scores KH0, KH8, KH2 (and alll the other U.S. possession in > the Pacific in the same category as Hawaii just makes no sense. It appears > the ARRL/CAC is infactuated with the ARRL sections thing. But wait, they > have the ARRL Sweepstakes and that covers 160-10 and excludes DX. > > Now if you want a contest design that as you said "celebrates it as a > potential birthplace for to-morrow's contestors," I would ask you only to > compare the Stew Perry Topband Distance challenge. This is a superb model > and allows competition of all types of entries where low power and QRP get > significant boost, especially if you work one. The SP is not designed to > molify someones ego at Newington with this EPA thing but rather serves as a > fair and balance competition designed for 160 meters by 160 meter operators. > Remember years ago when Charles O'Brian, W2EQS (sk) came up with the CQ 160 > meter contest idea. There is no question that it is one of the most popular > low band contests with the SP close behind. > > There is this sclerosis and atrophy, it appears, by those in charge in > Newington and the CAC members who really don't care that much about 160 > meters. So it is what it is, a bummer of a contest for most. Why is it so > difficult for them to make a simple change in the rules to reflect what is DX > and what isn't? Last night I got some raspberries for calling CQ EU only > even though there were two other KP2's active during the contest. On Friday > night my call operated remotely from NYC gave out 100 mainland contacts while > I held my nose. As far as the 160 meter ARRl DX contest is concerned, I just > quote Roberto Duran, "No Mas" > > > Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ > > > _______________________________________________ > UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK