|
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!
|
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."
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
Forums, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Forums Manager.
|
