CQ-Contest
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [CQ-Contest] ....youth in contesting

To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] ....youth in contesting
From: Michael Adams <mda@n1en.org>
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2016 22:28:46 +0000
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
While I am reluctant to look like I'm supporting the notion of creating so many 
categories that everyone is virtually guaranteed to be a winner, I should point 
out that the introduction of the Rookie overlay (and associated plaque) for 
CQWW was a surprisingly effective means to motivate me to upgrade my station 
and stretch my skills the first year it was offered (when I still had about 3 
weeks of rookie eligibility left).

I figured it was my best shot at ever getting hardware for one of the big 
contests.  

I think a "Youth TB/Wires" overlay could be an interesting enhancement to some 
contests, to promote youth activity without necessarily compelling them to feel 
obliged to drive a superstation.

Alternatively, I could see some fun in a meta-contest based on scores from 
multiple contests.  Think something like the WRTC qualification process, except 
spanning only one year, without some of the attempts to normalize scores across 
entry classes, and maybe a somewhat different set of contests covered.   Throw 
a rookie or youth overlay on that meta-test, and...?

BTW, while other commitments and a cough have me mostly sitting out WPX this 
weekend, I did get a kick out of working a 9-year-old YL in Florida Friday 
evening.  Her exchange number was double mine!

-- 
Michael Adams | N1EN | mda@n1en.org

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
ScottW3TX


4). I believe the BIGGEST obstacle to converting newcomers/dabblers to 
mid-experienced contesters is the cost of building a competitive station.
The way to solve this challenge is to create station equipment overlays.
Consider basing the overlays on actual cost of building the station. This way a 
station of any caliber can compete with similarly equiped stations.
For example:
* <$1000 station investment
* $1000 to $2500 station investment
* $2500 to 5000 station investment
* $5000 to $10000 station investment
As people grow their station over time they will move into a higher overlay 
category.  This solves the problem of being a newcomer SOQRP or SOLP having to 
compete with a person that goes to an existing SuperStation with monoband 
stacks to set a personal or world record.

Such overlays will allow youth to enter and compete without them having to feel 
like there is no chance to "win", "place in a top ten", and receive recognition 
(which is the real reason many contesters contest).  Then as these people 
become "recognized" within the contesting community their involvement will 
bloom.

73, Scott W3TX
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>