[Elecraft] (Fwd) [DX-NEWS] New QRP WARC-Speed DX Challenge!

[k4wtf@EnterZone.Net]

On Tue, 13 May 2003, W2AGN wrote:

> On 13 May 2003 at 11:55, k6se@juno.com wrote:
> 
> > "The QRP WARC-Speed DX Challenge!"
> > ==========
> > Contesting is verboten on the WARC bands!  I'm not sure why Danny, K7SS
> > is not aware of that.
> > 
> > 73, de Earl, K6SE
> > 
> 
> I just knew the "WARC BAND POLICE" were gonna get rabid on this. For 

Well, as a former law enforcement officer, I suppose that I'll take that
as a complement.  I am not trying to be a spoil-sport -- on the other
hand, after I got WAS Official Observer under my previous callsign, I have
no desire to do it with the current one. (Only Joking)  I simply wanted
clarification on based on the information that I had at hand.

Since the name of the "event" is "QRP WARC-Speed DX Challenge", and
according to Websters Dictionary, The first definition of "Challenge" is:

"A call to engage in a contest, fight, or competition: a challenge to a
duel."

Note the word "contest" in there?

> those that didn't read the entire announcement, I'll just requote this 
> part:
> 
> 
> > Let me answer the first question - no, this is not a contest! (Contests,
> > by gentleman's agreement, are not conducted on the WARC bands.)  It is no
> > more a contest than the DXCC single-band awards or the DXCC DeSoto Cup.
> > Competitive, yes, contest, no.


What makes this a contest in my book is:

"Certificates will be awarded for
- the top three totals from each CQ Zone in each of the categories below
- for working 100 entities on any single band."

Note that there are first, second and third place "certificates."

> 
> Sound like fun to me. All it does is encourage QRPers to look for DX on 
> the WARC bands. No calling "CQ TEST" or exchanging serial numbers. 

I understand not calling CQ TEST but, why can't someone exchange
SN's?  The Elecraft CC award is not a "contest".  When I work another K#,
I always want them to have my SN and I want theirs.  It seems like the
event staff is a bit wishy-washy here.  It's OK to do DXCC but, not OK to
try for the Elecraft CC?

> 
> And incidentally, contesting is not VERBOTEN. Rather it is discouraged, 
> by "Gentleman's Agreement." There is NO regulation forbidding it. 
> Nevertheless, that doesn't even apply here.
> 

The "band plans" (with respect to QRP, digi-modes, etc) are also
established by "Gentleman's Agreement."  Start throwing 3Khz wide SSB
@100w on some of the QRP CW freqs and I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut
that you'll start getting hate-mail, hate-phonecalls, and at least one or
two O.O. notices.

Again, I'm not trying to be a spoil-sport but, I don't want to start
getting O.O. notices either.

73 de John - K4WTF
K2/100 #2490
Elecraft WAS #8