All of these gripes fall into the same category of disapproval.
Contester A is unhappy with the rules as they are for one reaosn or another.
In an apparent effort to try to sway the contest sponsors to change the
rules to something which THEY prefer, they gripe on reflectors such as this.
Changing categories, offering shorter contest, removing packet, adding other
categories all fall into this same scenario. Personally I am thankful to all
of the contest sponsors for providing all of the coordination necessary to
run such successful contests and hope they will continue to try to bring us
the most active contest possible. Perhaps the continual bickering will cease
when folks take their own advice by not participatig in these activities
which are so degrading the very hobby. Without participants, contests would
not be as much fun, and without packet, there would not be as many
participants. The "casual operator" is the one who makes the contest. The
casual 'lil pistol, tribander and wires operator is the reason why
successful contests exist. The sooner contesters realize that the sooner
they'll become successful. Top notch multi teams don't need packet because
they're too busy making contacts. Although packet may be part of the reason
these big gun stations are successful, it is not THEIR use of packet but the
'lil pistols use of Packet to find them. If you wish to deter casual
(tribander and wire) type operators from getting on for a few hours to
finding their "new one" remove packet. I'm still not sure why people all
over want to change the existing rules. It's similar to the "I'll take my
ball and go home mentality." The difference it that this is NOT your ball.
Play the game by the rules. If you don't like the rules, don't play the
game. As for the distinguished OM's one of the author's referred to, I
assure you (with no intended disrespect the those mentioned) that most hams
have no idea who they are. Even many of us in the contest world have no idea
who they are. Although they may be rolling over in their graves, they would
surely be happy that their beloved past-time still exists.
Tom Baugh
AE9B
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