Tom:
I am glad to hear that the CAC and ARRL leadership are interested in
expanding participation in VHF + operating events.
I think that the third item on your list (encourage more people to join in
and participate) will do the most to make all of the ARRL sponsored events more
successful. I run into many hams that would participate if they only knew of
the events beforehand. I also find that many hams are intimidated by the
cabrillo logging format. Finally, perhaps in the past many new hams
participate
in operating events only to find that the results are no longer printed in QST,
and for the new ham or "little pistol" it is very exciting to see your call
listed in QST.
You and I have worked many times in HF contests over the years (my call is
NM5M), and I know you understand how the marketing of operating events is
pretty
fundamental. Publicity of the event, and more importantly promotion of the
event by local clubs, is really important to improve activity. Beyond that you
have to take a step back and look at the ability to display the results in
QST in such a way that the casual operation feels recognized for having made a
few QSOs.
I do hope that the UHF contest does not go away as again that contest is
useful in promoting operating on the microwave bands. Perhaps you should
consider
shortening the operating time of the event instead of canceling it.
Regards,
Eric NM5M
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