[WRTC2006] Geography and selection (long)

[Yuri]

First of all let me, too, congratulate our Russian friends and colleagues on
great decision - hosting WRTC-2010! We all appreciate it and realize how
difficult it might be to organize such an event. It looks like
WRTC-2010 might offer a unique opportunity - the most equal playing field
possible, if the
competition will be conducted on the same basis as Russian annual HF
radiosport championships. The environment is similar to Field Day - the team
would need to spend at least one night "outdoor" - in a tent. So probably
not everyone, especially those who are used to operating from comfy A/C'ed
villa in Caribbean, would enjoy this... Even in July Moscow nights could be
cool and mosquitoes are still active at this time of the year...
I was fortunate once to take part in similar
competition called "Stars Of The Air" in 1991 near St. Petersburg and still
keep good memories about it.

Harry  RA3AUU  is 150%  right saying that it is impossible to create
completely fair
selection criteria. Same with so-called geographical areas. However there
are few things that strikes one's eye and I can't resist from
sharing some thoughts with respectful members of this reflector.

1. Geographical area.

AFRICA Area #1 - ZS 1 team
ASIA Area #1   -  JA 1 team
OCEANIA Area # 1 - VK/ZL
NA Area #5 - VE 1 team

Lets take a look at the number of submitted SO AB Unassisted WW CW 2005 LOGs
from these countries:
JA - 230
VE - 75
VK/ZL - 21
ZS - 7

With all due respect, reserving 1 team for ZS does not seem to be fair,
considering the number of contesters in this country. I bet nobody would
name more than 2-3 active contesters from South Africa in total.
I don't want to look like another 'gimme' guy, but if we look at NA Area #5,
it is obvious that guys from VE4,5,6,7 and 8th call areas have no chances
against East Coast Canada...

Other areas:

AFRICA area # 2 (other than ZS) - 1 team
OCEANIA area #2 (other than VK/ZL) - 1 team

I think we might find just very few contesters from those areas, I mean real
local residents. Maybe in CT3, EA8/9, CN and KH6...
Well, if (like at some previous WRTC) Russian organizers want to have "Ham
Radio Olympics", then it explains everything. But if they want to collect
the best Worldwide operators, the above area creation leaves big
questionmark...

2. Contest listing and points.

I like Sprints and I participate in them whenever possible. But again, with
all dues respect, how could you even put them in same line with contests
like CQ WW, WPX, IARU, ARRL DX and WAE??? A 4-hour 3-band Contest with about
200 participants...
And what is more - giving for this contests more points than for WPX, IARU,
ARRL DX and WAE??? I suspect there are strong lobbyists of NA Sprint in the
WRTC Advisory Committee, but sorry -  I just don't get how a 4-hour 3-band
Contest with about 200 participants could be more important than more
popular and more difficult  WPX, IARU, WAE or ARRL DX...

3. Selection of Team Mate.

Ranko YT6A already asked this question. IMHO limiting TL to choosing a team
mate from the same country could be a VERY difficult task. Just take a look
at some of the areas mentioned in (1)...

4. Referees.

I think it was a good idea to give a chance of being a referee to those who,
for some reasons, wasn't able it make it as a participant. We know
all of the referees at the previous WRTC (well, almost all) are top notch
contesters.

I don't know, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to re-think some of the
criteria's. Or maybe return to the "wild card" idea introduced before
WRTC-2000 in Slovenia... I don't know.
Anyway, I appreciate very much Russians' decision to publish rules so early.
As I said, just decided to share my thoughts. Just MHO.
I'm sure organizers will make the best decision possible and we all will
enjoy another unforgettable event in 3 years time!
Thank you for reading.

73  Yuri UT4UZ / VE3DZ