[SOC] Fw: [CQ-Contest] You can win a contest!

[Michael Coslo]

On May 13, 2011, at 11:19 AM, Bob Nielsen wrote:

>> 
>> "The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) is held every four years and consists of approximately 50 two-person teams of amateur radio operators competing in a test of operating skill.
>> 
>> Ah Ha!!!  The WRTC is trying to quantify operating skill by testing for it in some arbitrary, contrived manner. As if these WRTC organizers are supreme judges of what constitutes operating skill! What's next?  WRTG dictating how we should all operate on the bands according to their ill conceived ideas of propriety?

There is an element in contesting that believes that every parameter must be equalized. Oft heard is the "Level Playing Field".  And people who go in for such things can really get into a lather about it.  "How can we level the playing field so much that the only variable left is operating skill?" Interesting thought experiment, but given the nature of radio, is it even possible? Of course not. If you're going to have a worldwide contest, how are ya gonna compensate for location? 20 meter propagation is simply going to favor certain locations (read stations available to contact at the hop points) You can make 'em use identical antennas, but antennas are going to perform differently at different locations. Sometimes thought experiments should stay as thought.

And I'm fairly sure that the whole thing is sort of the bastard child of the "Everyone who get's a higher score than me is cheating - and probably most of the ones who score lower too!" movement. 



- 73 de Mike N3LI -