[Fists] Re: Sprint

[Jeff Davis]

John,

As one of the people who "complained" about the sending of CC numbers in the
recent Sprint, I had to follow up to your note.

While you have outlined what the Sprint means to you, you haven't accurately
detailed the definition of the Sprint. I don't mean to hurt any feelings,
and I'd hate it if you stopped participating in Sprints simply because of my
note to this list. But the fact is, the Sprint *is* a contest. Quoting from
the FISTS Web page here is the objective of the Sprint:

OBJECTIVE: To exchange specified information with as many U.S. or Canadian
FISTS members as possible, using Morse Code only, and within the time frame
stipulated.

And to quote the page further, the only required exchange is:

EXCHANGE: The following information must be exchanged by both stations to
count as a valid contest QSO:
For FISTS members: RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first
name, FISTS number.
For non-FISTS members: RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first
name, Power output.

Nothing is mentioned about CC, Silver, Gold, Diamond, or Social Security
numbers being exchanged.

If you want to operate the Sprints casually, and spend time exchanging other
numbers, it wouldn't be too difficult to simply ask, "WUD U LIKE MY CC?"
Heck, if that gets you going on a three hour ragchew then I say more power
to you! Enjoy the airwaves and have fun with CW. Make new friends!

But why castigate those who want to improve their skills (and follow the
rules) by contacting as many other FISTS members as possible in a four hour
period?

--
Vy 73 de Jeff, N9AVG
FISTS #6641


----- Original Message -----
From: <JohnEXI@aol.com>
To: <fists@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 12:24 PM
Subject: [Fists] Re: Sprint


> The Sprint;                        (What does it mean to me)
>
> First I would like to say that the way a lot of people complained here
sure
> did take a lot of the joy out of participating in this past Sprint.
>
> To me getting into the Sprint is a form of relaxation and fun, I am not
there
> to see who I can do better than, that doesn't matter to me.
>
> We tell newcomers to FISTS join in the Sprint this way you can meet new
FISTS
> and collect a few new numbers, then complain because they are to slow,
send
> everything twice, etc,etc. Personally I think that CC numbers should be
part
> of the exchange so as to give people a chance to get these numbers,
otherwise
> the Sprint becomes just another contest! Who needs That?
>
> Me, I do not need to make 60 contacts in thirty minutes if I make
twenty-five
> during the whole period of the Sprint I am happy.
>
> Another thing someone sends 599 that only means that he is sending 599 and
> that most likely is not a true RST, every contest I listen to, every one
is
> 599 and I can just barely hear them, so during a contest 599 means
nothing.
>
> I for one will have to think at least twice before entering the next
Sprint!
>
> John, WB2EXI