[KCDXC] FWD from W0BR

[Tom Baugh]

Tom,

I've been a bit preoccupied lately, but I want to send a belated THANK YOU
to you and Jeannie for your hospitality during the WPX operation.  In 26
years of hamming, this ranks as one of those memorable "firsts"- first
contact, first field day, and now first M/M contest operation.

I agree with you, the thrill of a M/M operation is not in the operating, it
is in the camaraderie and team effort amongst the group.  I've had a taste
of that feeling in limited M/S operations from my place, but they are pale
in relation to the AE9B M/M effort.

It has been a while since I've scanned the KCDXC reflector archives - I am
not on the reflector - I read through them this afternoon.  Feel free to
forward my comments to the list.

I was a bit shocked to see the controversy over club affiliation for the
operation - I was under the impression from the beginning it would be for
SMC. In retrospect, I applaud the open, constructive discussion taking place
as a result.  Perhaps this will stimulate more local contest activity.

I have been impressed with your "rallying the ranks" over the past year or
so - much the same as I have been impressed with K9PG's effort in building
up SMC.  Even though I am a former "9", I was not involved with SMC until I
had been here and changed my call to "0" land.  One thing the group
affiliation has done for me is to increase the enjoyment of contesting
through following the group results.  There was certainly an air of
excitement in all the preparations for Sweepstakes!  Whether a group
contesting effort is renewed on behalf of KCDXC or left under the SMC-west
group, I urge all with any contest inclination to get involved in a group
effort - to each his own - but it has certainly been rewarding for me.

As some may know, I am now looking for employment - seems a bit more
important than ham radio at the moment :)  At this point, a move is looking
inevitable. (After my trip this week, I may legitimately be able to sign
"W-zero-BAHSTON RADIO")  One of the biggest regrets I have is that moving
will cut short many of the new acquaintances formed through your contesting
efforts.  At last I felt I had found a group with a more compatible set of
ham radio interests, only to have it cut short.

For the record, my observations as president of JCRAC for ~ two years (no
value judgment intended) is that the group is truly a GENERAL INTEREST
group.  I, along with a few others, have tried to generate some contest
activity - initially as a way to promote and train for field day - the
results have been minimal.  One thing I have learned through all of this is
you can introduce and encourage activities, but you can't force someone to
like them, whether it be contesting, DX'ing, or even ham radio - people do
what they like do.  I would much rather be involved in contesting activity
with people who are GENUINELY excited about contesting.  I'll leave my
"general interest" activities for a group like JCRAC.  If I feel the need
for "emergency communications" activities, I'll become more active in an
ARES group. (If I can find a way to stay here, I'll even join KCDXC)

On a less serious note, one beneficial side-effect of having my equipment in
Lone Jack for a month was it forced me to clean up the shack in order to get
it back into place.  I now have a picture of the temporarily clean shack on
QRZ. ( www.qrz.com/w0br )

I trust further discussions of the local contesting scene will give priority
to the best interests of contesting and ham radio.

Best regards,

Bob W0BR