[DX] DXpedition "attitude" (was K1B: Last Update )

[Ron Notarius WN3VAW]

Tom,

Since you wanted to know why some DX'ers have offered the opinion that the
recent VP8 DXpedition had copped an "attitude, "  I think it can be base
primarily on this excerpt from the press release, to wit:

"We feel that DXers need to get back to basics and work harder, so this time
the burden of working the DXpedition is being shifted back home. (The hunt
will be part of the fun, so if you need either of these two
countries as an all time new one we suggest you beef up your stations and
train your ears.)"

Now to be perfectly honest, I have to admit that I blinked & was taken aback
the first time I read that.  It is very easy for anyone to toss off a "well,
beef up your station" type of comment, and that's just not possible or
practical for a lot of us right now.  I do as best as I can with a modest
station, and it will in all likelihood stay one for the next few years.   So
be it.  But I do not care for anyone telling me that to be a success, I have
to make a huge captial investment in the shack.

However, on further reflection of this paragraph, and keeping in mind the
context it came from -- that part of the deal for the DXpedition's landing
and operating permissions was that it would have to be a low power and
minimal antenna op -- I think what they were trying to say was that because
beams and linears wouldn't be possible, it would be a little tougher on our
end (and I think it was) than it has been in the past.

In short, I don't think they had an attitude.  I think that they tried to
put the best possible spin on the practical limitations they were facing.
But in making that attempt, they may not have chosen the best possible
phrasing which has led to some hard feelings.  And that may be why some
people are reading "challenge" and concluding that that meant "punish."

73, ron wn3vaw

"You are a fluke of the Universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not,
The Universe is laughing behind your back"
-- National Lampoon's Deteriorata