[KCDXC] WPX 2002

[Lee Ward]

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching
it."                                                 Knute Rockne

As a president who cannot find a successor I am confused and delighted
by the present contest debate. I am glad this has gotten the
response it has just to see that there is interest in contesting
again for the club.

I have VERY mixed feelings about this event. On one hand this was
Tom's party and it ultimately is his call as to how this plays out. I
respect that. I didn't put in a penny for food or beverages any of the
6 or so weekends I was out there doing antenna duty. I didn't put in a
penny for the separate 100Amp service that feeds the 5 stations. I
didn't put in a penny for the operating positions, and I didn't put
in any money for the antennas or hardware. I did it for the
fun of it and used my time and junque box parts. Antenna work is
one of my favorite parts of this hobby, operating is down the list.

As the president of the KCDX Club since the spring of '98, I have
found that there is very little available from members as a
"commitment" to do much of anything. We seem to get the Dayton Suite
going OK, but without K0VBU it might not happen, or at least it might
be the last without the "Pileup Contest". there is a small core of
individuals who do the bulk of the work. If they move or quit, these
functions may not continue. AB0X gets the newsletter written and KB0U
gets it printed and mailed. K0XM moderates the reflector. KI0KH makes
the coffee at every meeting (W0JM needs a cup). AE9B puts a contest
page in the newsletter. K0JN does a horse and pony show once in a
while. Tom got the club members juices going with his WPX effort.

Tom is a relatively new ham, 5 years or so and he has
more energy than any 5 others I can think of. He has been preaching
contesting to the club for a year. He has gotten pretty poor response
and without him this event would not have happened.

Jerry, W0WG, had a contest station and couldn't get a
steady stream of helpers or operators. Oh ya he got a few going, but
the support was not there to last, so he moved back into town.

This is a fickle group, and one that can make a lot of excuses for not
participating until something doesn't go their way. Then they start to
speak up. Well, DON'T STOP!!! Get involved! Kick the president out and
elect a dynamic leader to push the club ahead. Do something, even if
it's wrong. Do a simple (or complex) program for a club meeting. Do a
page or 2 for the newsletter. Operate a contest with a friend. ANYTHING!!!!!

Easter weekend was a lousy time for a contest, but you all had a
chance to go out to Tom's and help every weekend for two months
preceding the contest. Tom had one helper in cold blowing snow
getting the 40 meter 4 square completed. If he had help, he worked on
the station. He worked on it when he didn't have help and sometimes
his wife and daughters helped him with radials and verticals.

Tom screwed up by not listing the calls of the
weekend helpers that could not make it out Easter weekend. These are
heros too, and deserve to be recognized. (In tom's defense, he has
given daily updates on activities at his QTH and names and calls
mentioned then.)

On the otherhand, I understand the desire to be affiliated with a club
for your contest activity, and the SMC seems to be the only one that
fits this area. We would have no need to join it if the KCDXC were
active in contesting with a contest "Chairman" who would handle all
logs, and coordinate contesting activities. I think that would be
great. Volunteers????

If KCDXC members want to be heard, then attend our
next meeting on April 29 and give some input. We need input. We can
vote on issues and do what the majority of members want. I look
forward to some heated discussions.

I've rambled enough, I want to hear more, and I expect to hear more at
the next meeting. Maybe I can get impeached.....Oh wait, that didn't
work against Clinton.

Let's work to sovle this TOGETHER' as a club.

3333333 (seven threes)
El Presidente, K0LW

                      mailto:lee@crcltd.com