The 15 th NSN - Net was held yesterday
afternoon. Great input by all, even some "controversial" content but
this shows that the Net is open to freedom of speech and that our
participants is open minded when it comes to amateur radio matters. I
would like to thank all those that participated in the Net in the past.
Your input makes the net what it is today. A really special Net and
something different from the ordinary get-to-together's on the air.
Yesterday many suggestions and new ideas were placed on the table for future food for thought iro Amateur Radio Contests. Many great ideas and suggestions surfaced that can be implemented and used to hopefully attract more people to amateur radio.
If you missed the Net than you missed a wide variety of view points relating to this question.
As stated before, those that participated in the Net ensure the continuation of the Net. The "Net Sonder Naam/Net without Name" is not a one person en-devour or club activity but belongs to every radio amateur that participate. I request listeners to report in by just telling us that you will be listening or to actively participate. Just a reminder the net is open to all radio amateurs and you use the language of your preference!!
The following radio amateurs, repeaters and links were logged:
- Chris ZS1FC
- Koos ZS5KDK
- Thys ZS1TBP
- Johan ZS1I
- Corne ZS1COR
- Heather ZS5YH
- ZS1FC-L West Coast Link
- Curtis ZS6CMO
- ZS5KDK-R Pietermartizburg Repeater
- ZS3KBY-R Kimberley Repeater
- ZS4RUM
- ZS1I-R Mossel Bay
APOLOGIES:
- Christi ZS4CGR
WEEKLY TOPIC:
Every week we choose a topic question and ask it to each participant.
If you have an amateur radio related topic or survey question that you'd
like the net participants to discuss, we'd love to get your suggestions
and input. Please email your topic suggestions by clicking HERE. If you
prefer that your name/call not be used when we pose your topic to the net,
please state so in your email and we'd be glad to respect your privacy.
This weeks topic:
Amateur Radio Contests ....... what do you love, hate about amateur radio contests?
Amateur Radio Kompetisies ......... Waarvan hou jy of haat jy tov amateur radio kompetisies?This weeks question might be seen as controversial but it is far from it.
A coin has two sides:
This topic contains the perspectives of both sides and is made up of my own experiences and those of avid contesters.
MOAN AND GROAN PERSPECTIVE:
- Nothing good comes from amateur radio contests!
- Contests are for people who enjoy wasting their time!
- Contests cause QRM across the bands!
- Contesters can be inconsiderate to other band users!
- Contest contacts are pointless and fake exchanges!
- Contests do not contribute to experimenting, research and development!
- Contests are on every weekend! (To many contests.)
- Amateur radio has become an annoying contest hobby!
CONTESTERS PERSPECTIVE:
- Contests drive band activity!
- Contests are rapid paced fun!
- Contesting forcing station and operating improvements!
- Opportunity to work a lot of rare DX or Stations!
- Opportunity for radio amateurs with no shack to setup portable and be guaranteed contacts!
- Contests create great outings and companionship!
- Contests provide new operating challenges!
- Contests provide the opportunity to enhance your profile and the profile of your station!
- Many contesters work towards operating awards!
The hobby of amateur radio has a lot of different activities to participate in. Radio contesting is one of those fun activities that almost anyone can enjoy. The basic objective on most radio contests is to make as many radio contacts as possible which is influenced by the scoring method used for the contest. That is, some contacts may be worth more points than other contacts and there are score “multipliers” for such things as the number of countries worked, number of states worked, etc.
The key thing to keep in mind is that it should also be fun. You really will only be competing against yourself. I have a saying: “Play the ball and not the man!” This should also be the case in amateur radio contests. In the early stages of contesting it is very easy to pick up bad habits and get the wrong impression of contests. Remember the rules are there for everyone participating and must be adhere to by all taking part in the contest! Show that you abide to the amateur radio code at all times.
Finally: Many NSN Net participants are of the opinion that contests are just another facet of amateur radio; that contesters are rude and talk over each other; sit on one frequency; move around all over the frequency allocation; great outing; must be supported by other radio amateurs; you only hear certain radio amateurs during contests and not on other activities; non-contesters must get involved to give away points; compete against yourself, to see how big of a score you can achieve. Do not be discouraged when contesters "talk over each other", cause artificial QRM etc. Remember it is a contest not a rag-chew party! Contesting is not for everybody as is many other facets of amateur radio. There is a place in amateur radio for every radio amateur. If you new to the hobby give contests a try and see if you like it, if not try another facet of amateur radio!
The question: What did you do in amateur radio this week? / Wat he t jy die week in amateur radio gedoen? Tell us about your ventures in amateur radio this past week.
Unfortunately we ran out of time and the "Lippe Klap / Lip Slap had to stand over for a future net.
There you have it. A short summary of events that took place yesterday afternoon during the NSN - Net.
Can you provide more activities? Please join us. This is not a club activity but the Net is open to all radio amateurs. Your presence will be most welcome. We need you expertise!!
If there is any questions you can contact me via email by clicking HERE.
All that remains is the next date for the NSN Net. "The next gathering will take place in the new time-slot on Sunday, 29 May 2022. The NSN Net will start 10 minutes after the Bo Karoo Amateur Radio Bulletin broadcast. Please take note of the change of day and time as to ensure that you can join us for another interesting Net. A big thank you to those that reported in last night.. Highly appreciated!!
73
