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Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW

Jari Jokiniemi (OH3BU) on June 24, 2004
View comments about this article!

There is a large consensus that we need some new blood for contesting. No wonder. The vast majority of the CQWW participants are turning into their sixties or fifties. It is rare to find anyone in his or her twenties in CQWW. Todays winners are surprisingly much the same people who were on the top already in 1974. Hey, that's thirty years ago. Well, perhaps our top guns are feeling quite youngish inside, but that's not good enough. We really do need new people to take over.

But what are we actually doing about it? Are we promoting contesting in ham magazines and in our clubs? Are we showing the ropes to the younsters? Are we really encouraging the newcomers to participate? No. We are constantly whining about packet radio and other technological advances and how they spoil our little little playground that was so nice before computers and electronic keyers etc. Cheaters and unsportsmanlike behavior are the most often seen subjects in our discussion groups in the internet. This is not good for our image, as internet is the data mining place of the young generation. We are developing the rules to promote the old ones, not the youngsters, and we obviously don't even care. We shouldn't be surprised that the young ones are ignoring us.

What makes this even more intimidating is that we don't make good use of the the advances we really have made. I am talking about the greatest contest invention in two decades - the Tribander Single Element class (TS). Forget about Multi Two, SO2R, and other stuff that the big guns are talking about. The absolutely only development there has been serving the ordinary guy is the Tribander Single Element class.

The idea of TS is very simple. Most of the HF stations are fairly small. Driving around in Europe and USA proves beyond any doubt that the standard station is something like a small triband yagi at 12 meters or some simple wires or verticals. Listening to the DX pileups makes me wonder if many of those even have a linear. They are not the ones who get through the pileups at the first try. They are not shooting fishes in a barrel, like the big guns are. They are not the stations that are at CQ Magazine's cover after a victorious contest effort. They are the small guns who participate for fun from their very ordinary homes, and they are the vast majority. TS simply allows them to compete with the other stations that have at least roughly equal performance instead of fighting a completely hopeless uphill battle against clearly superior stations. That's simply fair. You don't make a Mini Cooper drive against a F1, so why should you make a small tribander operator compete with a fellow who has several high stacks.

For some reason we are keeping this wonderfull thing almost secret. We don't promote it full speed in the WPX contest where the class was invented. We don't show any movement to develope something similar for other major contests like CQWW. Why is that? Why is it so awfully wrong to give the small guy what he deserves? Is the glory of the big guy somehow diminished if also the small gun gets an award? Does a big gun need the others placed lower in rankings to feel good or what? I won't answer. I let the big guns output the ordinary hogwash about watering down the competition with new classes, or the value of the efforts that are required to build a really big station. But take a note, whenever someone is praising the big stations, I will silently think about the local dealer, who will sell anything to me, if I just write him the big cheque.

So what is this phenomena called TS? Everyone has some kind of an idea what constitutes a small station. It's something that is not big. Well, yeah, you know it when you see it. However, for the rules you need something more precise, something almost bullet proof. The WPX contest rules define TS as follows: "During the contest, an entrant shall use use one (1) tribander for 10, 15, 20 meters and single-element antennas on 40, 80, and 160".

This deserves some attention. The rules say that one can use one tribander in the high bands. The rules do not say that it has to be a three element trap yagi, though that probably is the most common tribander of them all. A six element quad is also a tribander, a mighty one, though. The rules do not explicitely specify if a fivebander for the high bands like a Mosley TA-53M or a LPDA is to be considered a tribander, but common sense says that this indeed should be the case, as those antennas work in 10, 15, and 20 with a single feed line. At least nobody in the WPX Contest Committee has ever complained me of the extra WARC bands my Mosley had years ago. The rules do not say anything about the height of the tribander. Usually it is quite low, but one is not forbidden to put it into a 40 meter high tower or even higher. At the smaller sized systems, the rules do not force the tribander to be a beam of any kind, you can also qualify with a trap vertical.

A thing to note is that two-radio operation is not forbidden. You have the tribander and your second radio can be connected to your low-band wires. What is forbidden is to use another tribander or monobanders in your primary radio nor in your second radio. Thus, your multiplier hunting will be more difficult than using monobander stacks. Did I ever remember to tell you that operating TS in fact requires more skills that operating the old-fashioned HP with all the bells and whistles money can buy? TS in USA surely is much more demanding than operating High Power in a rare island, where what's required for a good score is essentially pressing the F1 key and staying awake.

As a conclusion, even as we are talking about the class for the ordinary people, there is considerable variation in the actual performance. If you want, you surely can build a biggish station that complies with these rules. This should wake up the big guns! Show us that you can make a good score without your superstation, too!

Well, what if you already have built your dream station and you don't want to dismantle it? That is quite understandable, nobody builds a big station for nothing. Perhaps you want to chase some DX when you are not contesting. Your six over six on 20 definetely gives an edge there. Is it all wasted if the world goes to TS? It's time to read again the rules. The TS definition in the WPX rules starts with the words "During the contest, an entrant shall use". It is not a mistake. Every word has a meaning. It means exactly what it says. We are talking about what you do during the contest. More specifically, it is about using antennas - not about owning antennas. No need to tear down anything. When you are in the contest, you are bound by the TS limitations, but when you are not in the contest, you can use whatever big antennas you may have. So, if in addition to your monobanders you also have a tribander that you would usually use as your multiplier antenna, you can completely legally use that as your main high band antenna for the TS class, as long as you don't use any of the other beams you have. You may have a 40 meter beam, that's ok, just don't use it during the contest. Put up a dipole instead, and use that for TS.

Nothing is stopping you to operate TS, no matter how big or small your station is. Except that there is no TS in the CQWW or in most of the other major contests. Only the WPX contest has this class. It is leading the way now. The others are lagging behind. Note that there has been very little promotion of TS, and yet, TS is the fastest growing contest class of them all. It is attracting many new participants despite of not being advertized, despite of it's winners not being at the cover of the CQ Magazine, despite of the big guns praising the virtues of HP year after year. It must be obvious that we've hit the jackpot with the TS. This is the thing that attracts more people to our hobby. This is the thing that makes the ordinary amateurs feel like contesting could be fun. We should really add the Tribander Single Element class to the CQWW.

I almost can hear the cry that there already are too many contest classes and no more should be added. Well, if that truly is the case, then I am perfectly happy to remove the most unnecessary class of them all. The class that creates more QRM to the bands than anything else, the class where the much-raved cheaters most often operate, at least according to the internet complaints I've seen. Delete the Single Operator High Power class and give us the Tribander Single Element class instead! So my friends, when are we going to have the Tribander Single Element class in the CQWW?

Member Comments: Add A Comment
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KG5VK on June 24, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Jari,

while I agree with the spirit of your post
(your heart is in the right place)

I am one that says we do NOT need another category

I own and Operate and fairly less than modest station
and strugle every year for ops young and old

I recruit from the ARRL Field Day

Know someone in the Tri State (The ArkLaTex)
that wants to operate in ARRL Sweep Stakes
Phone contest this coming November
Tell them to email me !

73
steve
KG5VK
 
Times are changing Reply
by oe5oho on June 25, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
It�s becoming more and more difficult to errect towers in Europe, at least this is true for some states. Let�s put the money-thing aside (some have it, some don�t). But while it�s in most cases possible to errect a 10m tower with a Tribander on top, and some wire for the lowbands under it, strung from the same tower, it�s definitely impossible to build a big guns dream station in crowded Europe for the "every-day-guy-from-the-next-block". Magazines show only the big guns, while the little pistoles make the score of the big guns. Average age is too high and we need some fresh blood. WWYC shows that there are some young contesters, but it could be more. The tribander single element class fits perfect for the starting contester. SO2R, MS, M2 or MM is possible after years of hamradio live, when you have that 2nd TRX and so on... But to get youngsters started, give them the chance to start with simple equipment. Some - but not many - of the younger contesters might end up as big gun. Maybe that�s what the big guys fear? (joking) Anyway, a great article and we�ll see what�s going to happen. 73 Oliver
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KB8YJU on June 27, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Tri-bander, Single element is a good way for the beginner/casual contester to jump in and give out contacts, but to be honest, convincing a new contester how much fun it is to sit in front of his rig (by himself) for 36 out of 48 hours is damn near impossible.
As anyone who has done it knows, the REAL fun when we first get started in contesting is sharing the experience with others in a multi-op environment. The problem is, there is no catagory for a beginning/small multi-op operation to compete in.
Take this last 10 meter contest. I operated from my home with just a tri-bander and low power..... did pretty well too. But god forbid my buddy who is starting to catch the contesting bug wants to come see what its all about and do some operating..... there is no way to compete with someone running 1500 (or more) watts and stacked mono-banders with my station.
I'm left with these choices......
1) Let him operate and don't tell anyone. (cheat)
2) Let him watch and listen...... not nearly as much fun as operating.
3) Let him operate and enter as multi-op... forget about being competetive.

How about another option???
Muti-op, low power.
I know of no good reason for lumping every multi-op operation into the same catagory. We don't do it for single-ops, now do we?

Just a thought,
Joe
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by OZ8AGB on June 28, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I'm a ham since January this year. Today I finally found this site! I read about contesting in the Danish HAM club magazine and to tell you the truth I'm a bit scared off it. First, I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm having trouble finding some info on the subject for newbees like me. Most info about contests is written to the HAMs that have been here since 1974!
But I think the idea sounds like real fun! But I'd like a "Beginners guide to contesting...".

Vy 73 de
Michael
OZ8AGB
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by N2MG on June 28, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Here's some beginner info

http://www.contesting.com/speakout/opinions/58

Mike N2MG
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by NT3R on June 28, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I think that all the big major contests should offer a paper certificate for even placing 2nd, and 3rd, be it for region or state, something like Eqsl does for some of their awards.

After the contest results are posted, log-on to their site, and download your certificate, or at least offer some type of paper to hang on the wall for making X number of contacts, and again offer it for download, and printing at home, or make it available for a small fee.

I know I'm never going to place first in any of these contests; only thing I ever placed first in was the ARRL Novice Round-UP in 1985 for my state. I live on a postage size lot in town, I am on-call 24hrs a day, but I do like to throw my hat in the ring, and play the game. The only other truly active ham even close to me, and a good friend is in about the same boat, (most of the other hams in my area think contesting is a dirty word.)

We've even tried the multi-op/single a couple times for fun, but still we both knew we were going to trounced.

But I guess it's supposed to be all in good fun, and enjoyment no matter what, and if people take this so darn seriously, I think they may have forgotten the fun factor.

As a footnote, I just compete against myself to try and do better than I did the year before and against my friend down the road.
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by OZ8AGB on June 29, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Mike, thanks a lot! The FAQ is just what I've been looking for!

Vy 73 de
Michael
OZ8AGB
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KA0TWK on June 29, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
IMHO I think there are to many contests nowadays, and it dilutes the enjoyment of them all, and creates a lot of tension with the non-contesting population.

Everybody and anyone who is either an publisher, organization, club, or group or ham related website has a contest now days, thank goodness every state does not have a QSO Party, that would take up 50 out of the 52 weekends a year. I think the NAQP twice a year in it various modes should be good enough for the entire U.S population.

Here's another idea, if you place first in the contest, you can compete the next year, but your log can only be submitted as a check log, not for scoring.

That would put a crimp in the super-stations life style, and give some others a chance once in awhile.

 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by N8LXR on June 30, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I have a better idea than just having a "small home station" class.

I think ALL contests should have a mobile and rover class.

That would make being able to meaningfully participate in a contest open to almost anyone with a vehicle.

These mobile and rover class entries could be used to put rare mults on the air and add some flavor.

I fear that will CC and Rs and other antenna restrictions, even the "small" home station is beyond the reach of many younger hams.

Let them take their acts "on the road."

What do you think?

73,

Tim
N8LXR
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by oh2pt on June 30, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Jari, I strongly agree with you!
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by 9a6xx on July 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I think contesting is dynamic and fun enough as it is now - new technologies and all the skills you need to know for running a contest would satisfy and impress any young guy.

General problem can be seen even from this article.. you can see much more replies on some other articles like "how many hours do i operate contest", "so2r vs so1r" but when it comes to young people and talking about them it's just few guys that is actually doing it.

Untill this changes you can forget about idea that introducing new category will change something.. it wont! It will just open another place for an old guy to win something... this is just not enough!

Aint it sad to see that if one young guy wins a contest trip to VP5 turns into the biggest news of the year?!

Hrle - 9A6XX, NY6W, age 21
GO WWYC!
www.wwyc.net
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by N5LT on July 1, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Nice sentiment, but please NO MORE CATEGORIES! Didn't this all get hashed out 10 years ago. The kind of kinder, gentler, "gee, gosh, we're all winners".

I started and stayed with a tribander and wire for years and years. I got beat by better operators, but I beat my share of bigger stations too. It made me a much better operator in the long run. If you don't want to compete then don't enter. Please quit looking for a way to make everyone 'feel special'.

As for finding younger contesters I think that will happen when we find younger amateurs. The real issue in no new young contesters is that we don't really have many new young amateurs.
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by VK6VZ on July 2, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
G'day

I totally agree with Jukka - get rid of the Single Operator High Power (All Bands) category in the CQ WW contests and replace it with the TS category. Let's keep this category down to to realistic surburban antenna heights - say 66' (20m) for the tribander and a maximum of 66' (20m) average height for single wire antennas for the low bands.

This would truly open up the world's biggest contests to ordinary people and the young. I am willing to bet that within three years this would be BY FAR the most popular/most entered category in the both CQ WW contests. It would be like a worldwide WRTC contest every year!!

The TS category should be the most prestigious category to win as well - as it has the most relatively level 'playing field' of all the categories.

Vy 73

Steve, VK6VZ



 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KY1V on July 5, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Hrle,

I don't understand your comment...

"Aint it sad to see that if one young guy wins a contest trip to VP5 turns into the biggest news of the year?!"

What is wrong with encouraging young hams to get involved in contesting by taking them on a free trip to a DX location during a major contest?

This concept has not only recieved world wide recognition, but has had a tremendous impact on the young ham whom won last year. He is making his second trip to the Caribbean to operate PJ2HQ in the IARU contest this week. In addition, the Yankee Clipper Contest Club has started a program to help other young hams go on DXpeditions.

I am really having difficulty understanding your comment. Why don't you send an essay yourself? You are eligible for the VP5 trip!

Best Wishes

David, KY1V / VP5X
www.vp5x.com
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by 9a6xx on July 6, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I just wanted to say this should be normal thing and not the big news. There should be many more "programs" like this..

Young hams are rarely supported in any way, not just like this!

My whole point, still very few people care about youngesters to even exist in this hobby!

I wish somebody could convince me I'm wrong!

Hrle - 9A6XX
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by s5m on July 6, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
OO Hrle, I am trying to convince you since WRTC-2000!

73 de Mario, S56A, N1YU
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by w1jq on July 6, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I sort-of like the idea of an "all wire" class as a distinct specialty--no aluminum (wood or bamboo is OK), no artificial supports, but any number of wire elements. But I'm not really comfortable with the proliferation of contest categories. I'm not convinced that TS helps to get "younger people" into the hobby (ham radio in general or contesting in particular)--seems to me that just a low power category is sufficient. There are some super-stations that run LP, but they are few enough that you can do reasonably well SOLP just by being stubborn and putting in more time than the next guy. You get hooked on contesting by operating in one, not by the possibility that you can "win."

BTW, I'd hazard a guess that the average age of active contesters is younger than the average of hams in general. Not to say that there isn't a problem. But I think you need to understand the problem before you can solve it.
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KB3LGB on July 12, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
The best way I know of to get young people, teens, involved in contests is to start a special group in your local radio club for kids. The Anne Arundel Radio Club of Maryland has a "kids" division and they set up their own field day location. Our young people feel "connected" to the club as they have "their own thing" and a core group of adults willing to spend the time and money to encourage them in this hobby.
 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by K0SV on August 3, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I agree with Joe KB8KJU on creating a class known as multi-op low power. My son and I contest together most of the time. We don't own a linear amp or a fancy ant. setup. We always compete in the multi-op category because there is no other category for us to operate together in. He holds a tech class license and is working on upgrading to general. We will never be able to be competitive in the multi class due to this and I find that he is starting to lose interest in contesting. By the way, he's 14 and been licensed for over 4 years. I don't think that the Tribander Single Element class would do much to improve the age of our up and coming operators. Just my .02 worth
Charlie K0SV
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by VK4TI on August 5, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Hi Guys,

Even in the remote areas like VK the tribander class has a lot of appeal, new tribander arrives this weekend :-0

The word being forgotten is CONTEST and to make it a contest some ground rules need to be adehered to such as category rating. I really like the concept of TRIBANDER single element as it suits me with a Hy Tower in the yard and a TH3 soon to arrive..

Cheers

Trent vk4ti

 
RE: Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by KB1FWN on August 13, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I am 15 years old, and this will be the second year I operate in the CQWW contests. Each time it has been from here, Single Operator ALL Band LP. I think that 75% of the fun in contesting is in making your own station competitive. It's great to get behind a rig and operate in a multioperator event, but in the end you just go home. When you operate a contest from your own station, or act as a host operator, there is much more to consider...

1) How do I make my station more competitive?
2) How can I make the changes on a budget?
3) What do I have to learn in order to make it happen?

Contesting is ruled by experience...I know that, and that is also why I know that chances are very unlikely that my call will be next to a winning spot within the next few years. It's not being pessimistic, it's being realistic. The guys who have been doing it all their lives will win over us newbies (unless of course someone is a natural, and it DOES happen). I never said it was impossible, in fact it can be very probable if one has the correct drive and enough of a signal.

So far, we've done a few limited multi ops from here, never won anything serious, but we've had a TREMENDOUS time doing it. When other youth operators see the art in contesting, it finally becomes competitive. I think that a tribander/single element class would be effective in gaining new interest, but not only for youth. A lot of older operators would join in as well! You can't really lose, it does make more work for the logcheckers, but I know a bunch of folks who would volunteer just to see it happen.

Does it take the sport away from contesting? Only as much as towers and beams do! Technical advantages are great because it gives the smaller station something to work towards, but in the mean time, it would help to have a place.

Mike DeChristopher, KB1FWN
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by K8GU on August 14, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
While, I think the T/S class is a great a idea in its own right, I don't think it will revolutionize the number of young people in contesting.

Location and operator skill, in that order for DX contests, will still determine the winner of the class. I won't rehash the location arguments, because everybody else has done that and I'm over it since I live in the real Black Hole (MN) now. Getting started in contesting seriously about five years ago, I used to wonder how anybody could make more than 500 QSOs in CQ WW. It's not just because they have big stations, it's because they know how to operate them. Big station or small, newcomers will always be "disadvantaged" by their lack of experience.

As a young (I'll be 24 this year) contester and ham, I resent the idea that everything ought to be made "easier" for young people to become interested. People (young and old) stick with something because it's challenging, because they are somehow stimulated by the activity and comradrie.

In my opinion, young and new contesters need encouragement in their pursuits more than a new category. If you are a big gun and some new guy (or girl) in your club (or section/district) puts in a good effort for his (or her) station, encourage them! Invite them to see, operate, or help with your station. That has happened to me several times over the last couple of years...and it means far more than winning ever could have...the approval of your peers.
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by K0AD on August 15, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
To be honest, the "Tribander Single Element Class" has always puzzled me. In this age of covenants, antenna restrictions, etc. , why do we assume that putting up a tri band yagi is a beginner type thing that any new ham should be able to do. My gut tells me that many of the new guys out there that we are trying to reach are the ones with wires or perhaps a vertical. I've been contesting for 40 years with wires and verticals and would love to be able to add a tri-band yagi.

If there IS going to be a category like this (and I'm not sure we need it), I would make it more relevant to what the true newby is likely to have.

73,

AL, K0AD
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by SM3WMV on August 18, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
I am a bit splitted in this topic. Some people are talking about the big advantages of huge station setups but a matter of fact is that the geographic location is a freaking bigger disadvantage for some of us.

Sure, a tribander category is good but as Hrle said it will maybe not encourage youth contesting but it could definetly increase contesting overall. So sure, its a good idea but DON'T make too many categories.

And this discussion about SO2R categories is stupid. To be competetive you gotta develope, both your skills and equipment as technology goes further and reaches new levels. If you have the right interest its actually possible to build a quite competetive contest station with quite limited funds. I am a young guy, 22 years old and I have a SO2R HP setup with monobanders. I have that because I have been working hard to get it...and with the right motivation I belive that most guys could get that too.

We gotta realize that this is the most uneven hobby in the world, atleast I dont know anything that is as unfair. I guess you could compare it with growing grape for whine and competing in that.

But sure, I would welcome a TS class...but dont create too much categories.

//Mike (SM3WMV // SM3W), 22 years old (WWYC)
http://sm3w.m3php.net
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by W6RCL on August 23, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Great idea. Abolish the Single Op high Power category and create the TS class for CQ WW!

In fact, ban SOHP in a lot of other contests, too. High Power is really ridiculous in a USA domestic contest like SS. Level the playing field -- make it a contest between operators and not hardware and appliances!

73 de alan
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by w0oow on August 28, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
Another class? You mean one for Joe Average Ham? It works for me. There is a vast difference between 100 watts, a small tribander at 50' and someone making their 8877 pant cramming RF into a 6 element monobander at 140'.

Maybe with another class more could compete.

73,
Steve
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by kb9rds on August 29, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by kb9rds on August 29, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
As for the SOHP catagory,I am not the expert to say, I'm just a small time operator.

As far as getting youth into this hobby and on the air I have a feeling a new and differt type of catagory would help..

Have a catagory of multi-operater youth ONLY. This would consist of youth operators 18 and under with adults logging for them. Max of 100 watts, and some one in the contesting rules area set the multiplyers. This is an idea that could and should be kicked arourd.

I am the net manager for a youth 2 meter net (No Adults at all) in Indianapolis Indiana and head up Special Event W9Z a Youth ONLY Special Event In August each year.

Lets kick this idea around...

 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by TF3KX on August 30, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
First, I think the "Tribander Single Element Class" is a misnomer. A truly "single element" antenna is one with only one antenna element, i.e. a dipole, long wire or a ground plane. In the urban environment even a tribander on a modest tower is frequently out of the question. So, IF we want to have a class for the "handicapped" stations, a truly SINGLE ELEMENT class should be considered.

Now, with my vertical/dipole setup I have come to accept the facts of life and competition with the big guns. Perhaps something like having my own chance to compete with Schumacher in the Formula or Tiger Woods in golf. There is no chance of winning, but I can compare myself against the very best, keep records of my scores and ranking from one year to another and see the improvements (when they occur). And just have a good time!

73 de TF3KX, Kris
 
Just think about it... Reply
by oe5oho on August 31, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
A "single element" categorie also includes having a single quad-element for 160m between 2 high towers........
So i guess even limiting it to "single element" is a bit tricky at times.

Like Mike, SM3WMV, but it nicely:
"We gotta realize that this is the most uneven hobby in the world, atleast I dont know anything that is as unfair. I guess you could compare it with growing grape for whine and competing in that."
 
RE: Just think about it... Reply
by KA9SQR on October 27, 2004 Mail this to a friend!
As far as abolishing the SOHP category in contesting goes, I am not for it. Our family contest team has competed in that category for close to 20 yrs. We dont have a grandios setup, a tribander at appx 70 ft, 2 element 40 mtr beam at appx 85 ft, and verticals on 80 and 160 mtr. Our team is proof that a smaller station can compete, heck we even made thhe top 10 in the nation one year in WPX. We have improved our family station over the years... started with a butternut hf6v vertical and a kenwood ts520. Lots of hard work, scrimping and saving, and understanding spouses make our team a success.

We could very easily adapt into a triband class by just using a vertical or dipole on 40, but as far as single element goes, who is to say some well to do team/person doesnt put up a delta loop or 4 square system... technically that would fall under the guidelines wouldnt it?

I would be much more in favor of seeing a multi op low power category added which would definately give more people the opportunity to compete at a higher level. Contesting to me is a team event, lets not penalize a group or team with a lower budget and give them a place to compete.

Dan - KA9SQR (only 32 yrs old and been contesting for almost 20 yrs)
 
Tribander Single Element Class And CQWW Reply
by vk3tz on March 27, 2007 Mail this to a friend!
Jari,
I wish I had seen this article when it was first published. Congratulations, over the past few years I have surely lamented that the CQWW DX contest did not take up the option of the TS category (as has been done by the WPX management crew).
I agree that TS, low power is the most equal category that exists in contesting, although it too has limitations. But it gives everyone a chance. It is very, very easy to set up a tri-bander on a 12m mast. I did it in a day, by myself for the 2007 WPX. My result was the worst in years but that is due to the difficulties of being located 10,000 miles from any major ham population at the bottom of the sunspot cycle rather than the category.
I have achieved the top 10 in WPX TS once and 11th twice more and 12th as well. I don't have the land of the money to set up a bigger station. There are a whole heap of TS quality stations in VK and so they could compete on a reasonably level field and not feel like there is no hope of being competitive.
I congratulate your article. I think the TS category is a very very good revolution and should be more widely supported, in more contests. We still need the big super stations - in times like now I think they are the only ones I worked hi hi, but F1 versus the mini is no fun when you're in the mini.

Tony
VK3TZ
 
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