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An engineers approach is, 'If it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough options'. Is CQWW broke? Are the # of logs declining? If CQWW isn't broke, leave it alone! Last time I looked, the # of logs, QSO's and Scores were all increasing in CQWW...Art - W6KY
Posted by
W6KY
on December 3, 2004
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Triband Single element
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I spoke with several teenagers about Ham Radio. All four of them were agreed that contesting is meaningless, indeed so is ham radio unless you use it for some purpose. They couldn't say what would appeal to them and I couldn't offer any suggestions.
I would like to see, for those who do contest a category for those who only have capability to conveniently operate on 10,15,20 meters.
Posted by
KF2XF
on October 13, 2004
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New Hams
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VHF?UHF contest entries are higher now than ever before. Why? Because new hams can get on 6 meters, 2 meters and 70 cm. Make more of the HF contests include these bands and participation will grow.
Posted by
W6QE
on August 27, 2004
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The Real Problem
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Without new hams, there will be no new contesters.
First, we need to figure out how to get more people in the hobby. Contesters (serious, casual, etc.) will follow...
There will be some exceptions to this, but the percentages will be small.
Bruce, K1BG
Posted by
K1BG
on August 19, 2004
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attracting new blood to contesting
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I agree with Doug, KR2Q.
Face it, amateur radio has become an anachronism and is not attractive to the PC generation. We're never going to get the new ham (i.e. shack-on-the-belt) folks interested in HF contesting. The only way to attract new blood to contesting is have an IM (Instant Messenger) or Online Gaming category.
Posted by
w2up
on August 16, 2004
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Is WINNING the only motivation?
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Gee whiz folks...this presumes that the only motivation to get on during a contest is to win. While that may be part of the motivation for the "big guys," I do not agree that "winning" should be the primary motivation for participating in the contest, especially for "newcomers."
Do you really thin that "newcomers" can only be motivated to be a "newcomer" if, and only if, they have a chance to WIN a major category?
I "participate" in lots of contests/activities that I have no interest at all in "winning." I like to get on and give out some points...period, end. Sometimes I just want to see how the band is (and during a contest is a great time to find out)...I make some qso's and go away.
Guys running 100 watts or even a KW to wire antenna are probably a lot louder most of the time than I am (I like to contest using qrp). Sure, I have antennas that are bigger than "wire" but no where near "competitive" to stacked arrays, etc. I routinely break 1Meg point in the CQWW and WPX...with just 5 watts! That is FUN!!
I think "blaming" the category and one's "inability to win" is just a cop-out for lack of actual motivation beyond showing (proving?) how big your male anatomy might be (that's an analogy folks).
Finally, there are TONS of categories already and TONS of potential recognition. In some part of the world or USA/VE, you can select a catagory of entry and almost be assured of "winning" something.
Rather than new categorgies, I think recognition for making 100 qso's or working 200 country-zones per entry might help, if one assumes that a tangible reward is a motivator.
Besides, why is CQWW, the most entered and participated-in international DX contest there is, was, will-be, the topic of this discussion? It already is THE BIG ONE.
de Doug KR2Q
Posted by
kr2q
on August 16, 2004
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Encouraging all ages
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While it is desirable to get new young contesters into the game I think that it is just as important to attract new contesters from all age groups. I would have thought that any sponsor who was committed to attracting new contestants would ask the broader community what they can do to encourage greater participation in contests. Many surveys conducted on this site show a strong desire for change. The lack of action by some sponsors suggests they are satisfied with the status quo and may not be committed to encouraging new contestants to participate in their contests.
Posted by
VE5ZX
on August 13, 2004
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It might help, but...
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As much as those not located in the northeast might believe it, the problem with attacting new contesters isn't just in their ability to win DX contests. There are other prestigious contests for which the NE is not an advantage. Further, even the NE has a dwindling supply of younger contesters. I attended two small NE gatherings (20-40 contesters) in the past two weeks and there probably wasn't anyone under 30, maybe 35.
Mike N2MG
Posted by
N2MG
on August 13, 2004
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attracting new blood to contesting
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For those who object to adding another category, why not change the requirements for the Low Power category to include the appropriate antenna limitations as well. Those who want to use stacked monobanders at 200 feet can compete with the guys running high power.
Posted by
n7zg
on August 12, 2004
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Attracting new blood for contesting
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Adding a single op tri band class would certainly not only attract me, but a substantial number of hams worldwide, who do not have the ground or the dollars for a big gun station. Right now I use the CQWW to pick up new countries etc, knowing I have no chance in participating actively. A class that would make me compete with other barefooters with a tribander would make me reconsider my attitude to active participation.
Posted by
k6faf
on August 11, 2004
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How to make it worth trying,
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This is just a drop in the Ocean that may help - and the approach I use is to try to draw out the non-contesters by going to a rare spot as a double mult, or at worst a hard country. It's a holiday for me, and gives restricted antenna stations a shot. I don't get on air outside the CQWW as QSLing is my nightmare..
David Burger, VK9XD, - 2003 & 2004
Only for CQWW SSB.
Posted by
vk2cz
on August 10, 2004
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want to increase activity in the CQ WW?
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Remove the must be close to Europe to win advantage.
1. Make each lower 48 state a multiplier.
2. Give on point for each contact outside your own state.
I bet you will even see JA's winning if you do this.
I agree with K4XS, except I would change it to "not everyone can set up with gain antennas".
Posted by
N8VW
on August 4, 2004
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attracting new blood to contesting
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Let's face it guys. It is harder and harder to be competitive. Twenty years ago it was possible to do really well in the bigger contests with just a tribander at 40 feet. Trying doing that now...it's tough.
Try to remember about your early years in contesting.....how good it felt. Winning first place in some obscure divsion at some obscure class. Hey, it didn't matter when you got that piece of paper that you framed. You won! It was cool!
Let's try to get that feeling to the new guys with modest stations...to get that fire lit. Not everyone can set up with stacks of monobanders.
...........K4XS
Posted by
k4xs
on August 3, 2004
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attracting new blood to contesting
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it will not be done by offering another category in the contest.
if we want to attract new contesters we need the ops of the stations to invite them
I do.
that and make it like the ARRL does and offers Pins for particpation, 200 q's a pin
500 q's a better looking pin
and the fee for getting the pins should be nominal or possibly sponsored thru direct donations by other ops
KG5VK
Posted by
KG5VK
on August 1, 2004
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