18-07-2017, 05:09 PM
Hi All,
First up, I am not a 'contester' or 'field dayer' (if those are the correct collective nouns) so do not have a dog in this fight.
Allow me to put forward my uneducated $0.02.
I have loosely followed the discussions regarding distance/grid square scoring, both in AR Mag and on the forums. It astounds me that it is even a thing, let alone such a fiercely divided thing.
It seems, to an outsider, that there is little difference and that it comes down to the output from some software. So why not simply output both?
Now, having said that, I fear I will be dismissed as not understanding, but frankly, that is my point.
Step back and look at the arcane rules for these so-called fun events. Now ask yourself why so few people want to play and maybe you'll make a connection.
That connection might lead you to ask some basic questions, such as:
Why don't people bother to get involved and participate?
I can only offer an answer from my perspective.
As someone who works for a living, that has other hobbies and other commitments, time is a precious commodity. The small amount of time available makes it difficult to put aside a period where even a two hour re-work is helpful, so getting SWMBO approval for a 24 or 48 hour stint is unlikely (and it may surprise you to find out, I would prefer to be doing stuff with SWMBO as well).
This leads to the next issue - funds. It's fair to say that my radio set up is not extensive and is not what would be called optimal. It is, what it is. It places me firmly in the 'Pop Gun' category and my signal well down into the noise. Which makes for a frustrating experience and a pretty empty log book when I have tried to get involved.
So for me the distance/grid square thing isn't even on the radar as a reason that folk don't to come out and play. The arguments between 'certificate chasers' and 'Big Gun' stations over arcane rules, for me, miss the point.
The lack of activity is a bigger problem than further complicating already confusing and over-complex rules, the bigger issue is making it interesting and inclusive, which it really isn't, to an outsider.
Offered as an alternate view, not as a big wooden spoon to stir up the natives.
First up, I am not a 'contester' or 'field dayer' (if those are the correct collective nouns) so do not have a dog in this fight.
Allow me to put forward my uneducated $0.02.
I have loosely followed the discussions regarding distance/grid square scoring, both in AR Mag and on the forums. It astounds me that it is even a thing, let alone such a fiercely divided thing.
It seems, to an outsider, that there is little difference and that it comes down to the output from some software. So why not simply output both?
Now, having said that, I fear I will be dismissed as not understanding, but frankly, that is my point.
Step back and look at the arcane rules for these so-called fun events. Now ask yourself why so few people want to play and maybe you'll make a connection.
That connection might lead you to ask some basic questions, such as:
Why don't people bother to get involved and participate?
I can only offer an answer from my perspective.
As someone who works for a living, that has other hobbies and other commitments, time is a precious commodity. The small amount of time available makes it difficult to put aside a period where even a two hour re-work is helpful, so getting SWMBO approval for a 24 or 48 hour stint is unlikely (and it may surprise you to find out, I would prefer to be doing stuff with SWMBO as well).
This leads to the next issue - funds. It's fair to say that my radio set up is not extensive and is not what would be called optimal. It is, what it is. It places me firmly in the 'Pop Gun' category and my signal well down into the noise. Which makes for a frustrating experience and a pretty empty log book when I have tried to get involved.
So for me the distance/grid square thing isn't even on the radar as a reason that folk don't to come out and play. The arguments between 'certificate chasers' and 'Big Gun' stations over arcane rules, for me, miss the point.
The lack of activity is a bigger problem than further complicating already confusing and over-complex rules, the bigger issue is making it interesting and inclusive, which it really isn't, to an outsider.
Offered as an alternate view, not as a big wooden spoon to stir up the natives.