One theme that seems to have been touched upon in the recent flurry of
emails is the increasing lack of participation in CW contests.
Maybe CW contest organisers in general could look at promoting slow speed
areas in each band where a person can call CQ at (say) less than 20wpm and
asking anyone answering to call at the speed of the person CQing. CW
contests can be nerve racking for newcomers so this might be a way of
gently introducing them to CW contesting. It would also help anyone trying
to encourage new hams to take part and as we all know there is nothing like
a CW contest to help improve your speed.
Just to be clear I am not advocating this as a rule as you can't stop
someone CQing at higher speeds or answering a 15wpm CQ at 35wpm+ (even if
they are idiots). All I am suggesting is an advertised watering hole for
newbies (there is nothing like safety in numbers) where people know QRS is
expected.
If popular it might also get tactical as the speed demons are going to have
to go into those areas to get QSOs they may not otherwise get and they will
know the newbies will expect them to slow down if they want a QSO. And who
knows maybe it will encourage some more experienced ops, who might not
otherwise get on at all, to get on the air to work these hams.
If really keen, the contest organiser could even introduce a rookie type
category for those who only operate in those areas of the bands.
73
Mark ZL3AB
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