AmateurRadio.com

I’m speaking only for myself as one who is passionate about the game despite my station configuration. Whatever one’s resources, attitude, is not measured by the height of a tower or the output of an amplifier. Attitude instead is a matter of the heart.

I’m forever grateful that a phone call on a Pennsylvania winter’s day changed the direction of my life in a subtle but unyielding way. The ARRL Novice Roundup was in full swing while I operated a Heathkit DX-60 throwing a knife switch between it and a Heathkit HR-10 receiver.

My antenna system was a simple dipole strung between the house, a tree, and the knife switch. The phone rang that spoke to the heart of ham radio spirit. I was invited to operate a dream shack as a 16-year old who recently discovered the thrill of RadioSport.

I threw on my winter jacket and walked a country mile without a second thought.

The objective of the ARRL Rookie Roundup as an entry level event is RadioSport cause number one at all levels from clubs to individuals. It is clear, “Experienced operators are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.“

Furthermore it is stated, “For newly-licensed operators in North America (including territories and possessions) to experience competitive Amateur Radio…“

It is a rally call for active involvement in the execution and success of the ARRL Rookie Roundup at all levels. The long view value of this event cannot be underestimated or dismissed. However trying to please everyone, everywhere leads to not pleasing anyone, anywhere. Subsequently, real-time logging is a long awaited RadioSport innovation because Internet cloud service and storage is the future; right now.

Those organizations getting there first will own the high ground.

I do not agree with eliminating the Best of the Best while awarding everyone a certificate of participation. I participate because I want to and I compete because that is who I am. One does not need a certificate to participate although one needs recognition for their effort, commitment of resources, energy, and time.

I submit for consideration, if the Roundup is a group effort, incorporate club competition into the model wherein individual effort contributes to a Roundup Cup much like the coveted Sweepstakes’ gavel, and its historical competition between the Potomac Valley Radio Club and the Northern California Contest Club.

There is a need for a little more skin in this game.

I can vividly see the dream shack nearly 30-years later where I sat in front of a Drake TR-7 pumping radio frequency into a 4-element 40m monobander while penciling nearly 600 contacts into the log. His phone call changed the trajectory of my life that is the future of RadioSport is the 2010 ARRL Roookie Roundup.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

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