Good morning from #hamr shackadelic zone where, oh yes, it is a bright sunny day at the beach, and a magnificent ground swell of perfectly aligned sets satisfied surfers until the next Bering Sea storm generates another epic day. I have read with keen interest the recent conversation about the second half of the ARRL Sweepstakes event that is Sunday afternoon.
When Adrenaline Fails
Typically, the rate rush falls off dramatically after most kilowatt driven stations have logged a greater percentage of available participants. Sunday is pain day in the chair in comparison to Saturday's exhilaration, exuberance, and this year it is going to be different. And, sadly, it's not.
I like to consider myself an advocate of change in this case I do not support changing the rules to mitigate the pain in the chair. I like the challenge of the exchange, logging a station only once, and the glory of a clean multiplier sweep. In other words, Sweepstakes is personal, the goals that drive my participation, are personal as well.
There is lots of distilled data in terms of who won when, from where Sweepstakes was won, and comments about the friendly yet fierce competition between the West and East coast. That's RadioSport and I love it!
Pink Pig
The conversation, at least from my perspective, hasn't engaged the proverbial pink pig in the room.
Potentially, ARRL Sweepstakes is the first symptom of a bigger picture that is developing and most likely will impact future RadioSport activity this side of the Atlantic, despite Amateur Radio's North American growth, the reality is, we are not converting the numbers into real high frequency participation.
I believe, if participation was up then questioning the rules wouldn't even be questioned, because the rate rush would sustain itself through most of the event.
The Challenge
Instead, at least for me, why are we not asking the central question about where are those newly minted operators and why are they not operating on high frequency? The backbone and the future of RadioSport hinges on the long tail of those who are being licensed, right now. Instead, we are conversing about adding complexity to an event with a rich tradition.
I would advocate that this is a matter best placed on the agenda of RadioSport organizations, clubs, and individual participants. Who better to recruit new participants and share the ultimate ham radio experience?
No, Sweepstakes doesn't need additional complexity, what RadioSport needs is a new cohort of North American operators who will carry the torch forward into our future.
Contest on!
When Adrenaline Fails
Typically, the rate rush falls off dramatically after most kilowatt driven stations have logged a greater percentage of available participants. Sunday is pain day in the chair in comparison to Saturday's exhilaration, exuberance, and this year it is going to be different. And, sadly, it's not.
I like to consider myself an advocate of change in this case I do not support changing the rules to mitigate the pain in the chair. I like the challenge of the exchange, logging a station only once, and the glory of a clean multiplier sweep. In other words, Sweepstakes is personal, the goals that drive my participation, are personal as well.
There is lots of distilled data in terms of who won when, from where Sweepstakes was won, and comments about the friendly yet fierce competition between the West and East coast. That's RadioSport and I love it!
Pink Pig
The conversation, at least from my perspective, hasn't engaged the proverbial pink pig in the room.
Potentially, ARRL Sweepstakes is the first symptom of a bigger picture that is developing and most likely will impact future RadioSport activity this side of the Atlantic, despite Amateur Radio's North American growth, the reality is, we are not converting the numbers into real high frequency participation.
I believe, if participation was up then questioning the rules wouldn't even be questioned, because the rate rush would sustain itself through most of the event.
The Challenge
Instead, at least for me, why are we not asking the central question about where are those newly minted operators and why are they not operating on high frequency? The backbone and the future of RadioSport hinges on the long tail of those who are being licensed, right now. Instead, we are conversing about adding complexity to an event with a rich tradition.
I would advocate that this is a matter best placed on the agenda of RadioSport organizations, clubs, and individual participants. Who better to recruit new participants and share the ultimate ham radio experience?
No, Sweepstakes doesn't need additional complexity, what RadioSport needs is a new cohort of North American operators who will carry the torch forward into our future.
Contest on!