The World Radiosport Team Championship By Steve Morris, K7LXC 16521 73rd Ave SE, Snohomish, WA 98290

aybe it’s because of the rain that we from the Goodwill Games, we met with efforts in everything from M/M CQ WW in the Pacific Northwest have a lot of ICOM’s Evelyn Garrison, WS7A, who campaigns to WPX and NA Sprint titles. M time for introspection and contempla- realized the significance of our event and KING-Doug Grant. Doug and John Dorr tron. Maybe it’s because of the localcommu- the positive effect it would have both on the (Doug’s brother-in-law) claim to be pumping mty of high caliber operators. Maybe it’s the amateur community and the public. Evelyn Kansas City keyers to get fact that our hobby, and more specifically con- soon committed ICOM’s financial support in shape for this competi- testing, is graying, with little new blood entering and offering ICOM gear. Evelyn’s and tion. An active contester what we feel is an exciting activity. ICOM’s generous support and belief in this since 1970, Doug has Maybe it was a lot of factors that caused event made it happen. been heard from FG0MM, the World Radiosport Team Championship Once we had ICOM as our major sponsor, HIEXWP, 4UllTU PJ7A to be born. we gained additional support from Ham and KP2A, as well as from Danny Eskenazi, K7SS a world class Radio Outlet, US Tower, MFJ and CO W2PV, KlEA, KlGQ and contester himself, saw that without new Magazine. KlOX. Doug also has contesters entering our pool of participants, The next hurdle was team selection. The served on the CQ WW contesting would slowly erode and-heaven Committee asked for applications via an Contest Committee and ARRL Contest forbid-disappear for lack of interest. To announcement in the NCJ and tendered Advisory Committee. combat that trend, Danny felt that if con- invitations to Japan, Canada, Spain, W9RE-Mike Wetzel. Another engineer, testing were presented tononhams (as well Yugoslavia, Hungary, Bulgaria, England, Mike competes from a tough spot in the US as hams not particularly active in contests) Sweden, Finland, Italy, France, Germany, Typically outgunned by both as an exciting activity that got one’s com- Czechoslovakia, Brazil, and Argentina. We coasts in DX tests and com- petitive juices flowing, it might create left the selection of the Soviet team up to peting from a not-so-prime interest, growth, and higher QSO totals. the Radio Sport Federation of the USSR. As spot for SS, Mike never fails to l K--j The dearth of new hams generally is at- many as 17 teams could be competing in produce. His impressive tower F ,& tributed to the competition from computers, the WRTC-entries are still arriving. and antenna farm, featured re- computer games, and Nintendo. If contest- The American Team is made up of the cently in the NC/, obviously con- 9 ing could be conveyed as a real-time, following operators (in no particular order): tributes to his winning efforts. +T competitive activity that had many of the KlAR-John “Rate Is Everything” Dorr. K7JA-Chip Margeili. Amateur radio is dynamics of a video game, we might win John is well known for hisCQ WW triumphs Chip’s life. From his impressive contesting some converts. In talking with other as a single operator as well and DXing credentials to his competitors, including Randy Thompson, as helping to pioneer the job as vice president for cus- K5ZD, a plan was hatched to sponsor an new “single-op assisted” tomer service at Yaesu USA, event that would catch people’s attention category. His contesting Chip has made a sizablecon- and promote Amateur Radio and contesting. enthusiasm and recent tribution to hamming. He says Coincidentally, Seattle is the site of the ascension to the editorship a .? his string of three consecutive 1990 Goodwill Gamesm where 2500 athletes of the CC) Magazine Con- both-mode wins in Sweep- and thousands of support personnel, test Column recognizes his stakes (1971-73) is one of his judges, officials, journalists, tourists and status as one of the more most memorable accomplish- other cultural exchange visitors will par- influential and resoected ments. His recent involve- ’ ticipate in the games and pageantry, while members of our contest community. One of ment with the 4JlFS and Puyallup Tribe of an estimated one billion people will watch my most vivid recollections of John is the Indians expeditions have only added to the on TV. Why not use the Goodwill Games as ferocity with which he operated when the K7JA legend. the backdrop? 20-meter phone subband was expanded KQ2M43ob “Mosquito“ Shohet. Bob What evolved was the World Radiosport down to 14.150 several years ago. It was acquired his nickname during the winning Team Championship, where invited US, such an exciting event that he turned it into 1988 effort of P40V, when he Soviet and other international two-person his own contest-and had a ball! either talked or sent so fast teams would compete in a lo-hour HF con- W7EJ-Jim Sullivan. Besides being a that it sounded like a mosquito test to establish the true champions. By tenacious single operator, Jim has con- was operating. His strategy at bringing the competitors together, basic tributed to such winning multi efforts as maintaining CW pileups by geographic advantages are canceled. (As KH6XX, PJlB, P40V, FG5R increasing his speed until the we all know, unless you’re in the Caribbean and KC6ZR. Although he pileup became more manage- or on the west coast of Africa, or New claims to hate Sweep- . able (around 50 + WPM) en- England for the US title, you’re going to stakes, Jimmy also has sured a place in the P40V have a tough time winning.) been successful in that lore. A pension consultant, Bob has entered We wanted to have a level playing field one. Jim says that “con- and won almost everything and currently for our “radio-sportsmen,” meaning every- testing provides me with “owns” the WPX Contest. Whether a state one needed to be in the same area with the an opportunity to compete QSO party, a 160-meter test, or one of same radios and similar antennas. with the rest of the world in an event that the biggies, Bob goes all out and con- As our Committee put final touches on a is free of lists. iammers and band police.” sistently places in the Top Three. “Op- proposal to the Goodwill Games Cultural KR0Y-Jeff’Steinman. A erating under extreme pressure, with Exchange Committee, we realized that host- young electrical engineer, inadequate rest and complete concentra- ing all the competitors and providing for their Jeff blossomed under the tion, the contesters pride, ethics, courtesy, expenses as well as general funding for the guidance (and aluminum) cunning, sportsmanship and sheer force of event would take financial resources beyond of Lew Gordon, K4VXl0. will are exposed as they really are, for our means. Jeffs dossier, beginning in all to see” is what contesting means to Soon after receiving our official approval 1980, includes 35 Top Ten KQ2M. 9 AA4NC-Will Robefis. Will knows the President Nixon was hard to turn this event into reality areK7SS, Caribbean. VP2E, HH, VP2M, PJ7, C6 and called and a special flight K7LXC KE7V, KS7L, W7NG, KM7E, V4 have been some of his arranged to provide the N7MJZ and KM7E. stops over the years. While necessary medication. Martti Laine, OH2BH, the only member DXpeditions and record set- Although Pete said that of both the CQ Contesting Hall of Fame and ting really get him going, he his score suffered be- the CQ DX Hall of Fame, is Chairman of the also has been known to cause of the two-day Operating Event. He has been instrumental suffer other contesting de- emergency, his pride did in coordinating the international teams, as mentia, including state not. well as in developing the rules and pro- QSO parties. As part of a moting our event in the international recent VP2E multi-single effort during the The Radio Sport Federation (RSF) in the amateur community. 1990 ARRL DX SSB test, the team broke Soviet Union have recently announced their Rusty Epps, W6OAT, has taken the the 10,000 QSO barrier-that’s over 200 an team. They are: responsibility for judging and scoring the hour! Dangerous on any band, Will enjoys Team Members contest. As one of the founders of the NA the travel and friendships aspects of UAl DZ LY2PAJ Sprint and with his reputation for integrity, contesting. uw3AA LY2BlG Rusty’s contribution will help define events KH6LLKatashi Nose. Nose, Honorary UA9SA UW9AR of this scope in the future. US Team Captain, has influenced con- UA0SAU UA9AM One unusual aspect of the WRTC Contest testers for years with his techniques and is that we will award prizes in addition to the achievements. Although his contesting Alternates normal certificates. Make five WRTC QSOs, exploits have slowed down over the years, RB5lM UW0CN get a certificate. Work 30 WRTC stations his appearance on the bands never fails to UM8MO UW0CA and get a free commemorative pin. And if create a small pileup. As a member of the you submit one of the top 500 scores, you’ll CQ Contest Hall of Fame, Nose is recog- Support Team win a free WRTC T-shirt! nized as one of the great competitors of all UA6HZ UZ3AU If you’re interested in meeting the teams time. UA3AO UV3BW and some of the operators that you’ve con- In addition, three alternate operators may UW3AX tacted many times during the contests over have a chance to compete. These are: the years, plan to attend the Pacific North- N2AA-Gene Walsh. Gene has one of the The Soviet team is in the order of their west DX Convention in Portland, Oregon, world’s most recognized call signs. For national ranking for their own championship. the same weekend, July20,21 and 22. After many years up to the mid ’80s using the There’s no question that the Soviets are the Friday night contest, we’ll all be gather- call sign NM from Buzz taking this very seriously and will be toughing in Portland for the Convention. Write to: Reeves’ station (K2GL), competitors. PNW DX Convention, in care of W7ZR, Gene helped steer this There’s no question that this event is Route 1 Box 518, Beaverton, OR 97007. outstanding multi-multi attracting some of the best contesters in the The Committee especially thanks Bob station to prominence in world. We wish them all the best of luck. Ferrero, W6RJ, Martin Jue, K5FLU and the CQ WW contests. An event of this magnitude requires a lot Dick Ross, K2MGA, for their support. This effort was immot-tal- mm 1 of manpower. Our committee has been at We’re looking forward to your participa- ized in the outstandina work more than 18 months. The WRTC tion to help us make this event a success. film To Win fhe World a;d shows the talent Committee members who have worked very See you on the air in July! and effort behind those scores. Gene estab- lished his abilities by being the first double (both modes) winner of the CQ WW in 1963, as 5AlTW. He thinks that “international friendships made among contesters are deeper and more lasting than is possible in most casual amateur radio activities, be- cause of the intensity with which most contesters approach their activities.” Gene has received many awards and trophies over the years, as well as setting From the CC2 WW Contest Committee numerous records, and is respected as Contlnued from page 6. being a “contester’s contester.” KlCC-Rich Assarabowski. Licensed as a 13 year old (weren’t a The burden for obtaining such information the entrant’s permission. We always con- lot of us!), Rich has from the committee lies with the entrant. We tact the entrant directly. made his mark in many keep logs for one year after the submission I have touched upon only a few points the DX contests. Citing the deadlines. CC? WW Contest Committee considers as its IARU Radiosport HF policy. An expansion of this general informa- Championship contest If the committee needs a diskette, why tion will appear in CC) magazine this as one of his favorites, don’t they ask for it from the competitor summer. Each member devotes many he is active in Murohv’s or his duping service? hours to assure you that the scores that are Marauders, promoting contesting to anyone We do ask for such diskettes. Most published are the best judged in any major who will listen. people cooperate very happily; others, for contest. We are not remote. We are not KN0E-/Jete Gri//o. As KN9PDH, Pete reasons known only to themselves, do not. without ears. We listen to what a consensus placed second in the Novice Roundup in P40V was asked to provide a diskette to the wants. There are many contesters, however, 1958. He was second only to the now K5NA. committee on both modes of the 1988 con- and only a few committee members. This Pete says that one of his proudest con- test. No diskette came to us until May (only fact requires you to interact with us. If you testing experiences was during the ARRL the SSB diskette) and by then the results have questions about the rules or anything DX Phone contest in 1973 when he received were already determined. Qf course we had else please contact a director. We will do a distress call from Guatemala for special already typed in their 39,000QSOs. It is not our best to answer your questions. A current medicine for a critically injured hemophiliac our responsibility to seek a diskette from a membership list is published in the patient. Through Pete’s coordination, duping service. It would be unethical withoutSeptember and October issues of CC?. 10