Lots of discussion about this topic - as a previous competitor and referee
here's my take.
Short of reducing it to a computer program there is really no practical way
to make the qualifying criteria a level field for everyone. While some sort
of regional qualifying events sound great the time, effort and expense of
putting these on would be prohibitive. Even then there would be those who
would feel it was unfair.
The present qualification system could be made fairer - here are some
suggestions.
Don't allow the sponsor to pick the high point contests. With the present
rules I understand why the Germans picked the ones they did but not all of
them are reasonable for a world wide population. I would propose the WRTC
committee designate the 1000 point contests as WPX phone and CW, IARU, and
CQWW phone and CW. WPX and IARU both have a significant domestic component
which, at least for the US is a significant leveler and ones in which those
with more modest stations can be competitive. CQWW certainly does not fit
that criteria but it is hard to not include the world's most popular
contest. Another advantage to this combination of contests is they are
spread out over the year.
For the lower point contests select them on a regional basis. For example
ARRL DX might be included for W/VEs, WAE or Russian DX for Europe, Oceania
DX for Oceania, etc. They would count for all participants but be higher
valued for those in the region (900 for W/VE in ARRL DX, 800 for others for
example).
Individual scores would be based on ten scores *made up of no more than
eight of the high point contests*. That allows someone to drop two of the
high point counters for things like family events, participating at a M/M,
equipment failures, weather issues impacting their score or just less
interest in a particular contest. With the current scoring system missing
one of the high pointers can be disastrous.
Just food for thought.
Marv N5AW
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