[WRTC2006] WRTC2010 TL Selection Critiera - Addl. Questions

[Robert Shohet]

Now wait a second here.....

> Granted, it's only a four-hour long contest, but I'd argue that it gives
> much better proof of someone's *basic operating skills* than any of the
> DX 59905 contests.  The past winners and top finishing US teams are
> primarily made up of successful CW Sprinters - that should prove
something.
>
> 73, Dave N2NL/4

The past winners and top finishing US teams are ALSO primarily made up of
ARRLDX, WPX and CQWW winners too!   You can't separate them out by contest
because the best ops can and do excel in almost every contest format!

And while speed, accuracy and moving mults are seriously tested in the
compressed 4 hour Sprint format, it is also damned hard to be able to pull
off this feat for ALL 48 HOURS!  In fact, to be able to make it for all 48
hours, you have to have other valuable operating skills and stamina that are
NOT tested nearly as much as in a 4 hour format.  Not to mention that there
is a whole lot more 2 radio work, mult passing and THINKING AND OPERATING
going on in 36 or 48 hours than in 4 hours!  So let's not get carried away
with this silly comparison, and it IS a silly comparison!

Would you compare the 100 meter sprint to the mile?  They have little in
common.

However, it is definitely true that the best cw ops are almost always the
best contest ops!

In my pinion, since the WRTC is primarily a DX event within a 24 hour
window, well, really 36 hours including travel, set up, operating and
station break-down and travel back, longer duration events (36 and 48 hours)
should be weighted more heavily than shorter duration events and DX events
should be weighted much more heavily than continental events.

73
Bob KQ2M