11/24/2010 | AB3IC

While I was scanning for contacts on 80 meters, I happened across a QSO between a couple of hams who were complaining about the contest.  One of them said, "I don't understand why anyone would want to do any contest."  I'd like to take a short moment to answer this.

Mostly, I contest because I enjoy it.  Given the number of people who participate in contesting, it seems I am not alone in this.   A good contester is a good Ham.  Their stations are optimized with the radios set up properly, the antenna's well tuned, the feedlines in good repair, the stations well grounded.  With only a few exceptions, their signals are clean with no splatter or hum.  Their communications are short, without extraneous comments, passing just enough information to make the contest exchange in the shortest possible time.  Their ears are as good as their mouth, copying the required information with minimal need for repeats.  Even given the "need for speed" they take time out to explain the contest and the exchange to people who may not be familiar with the exchange process so those hams can make more contacts.  If I had to pick a team to support emergency communications, a team of contesters would be my first choice.  In short, I'm a contester because I want to be the best ham, the best communicator, that I can be.  I want my station working at its best. 

 

-- AB3IC