Now where do I start with this? I’m sorry to say that Tom is wrong in every important detail. The net controllers actively discourage the QSP of signal reports, the main problem in this respect is “earwiggers” who have nothing to do with WAB spoiling the contact by doing so. There are many instances of members not counting squares as the contact has been spoiled in this way. I have done so myself. You only have to hear the tone in the net controller’s voice to hear the annoyance - bordering on anger when this occurs.
If you can send me proof, Tom, that email - or indeed any other - QSP’s have happened, as WAB Awards Manager I will take the appropriate action. I will keep a eye on my in-box. g4iar@worked-all-britain.org.uk
I assume that your statement that SJ87 is a highly prized square is tongue in cheek - as there are 100 square km of it with main roads running N/S and E/W through it. It is activated by mobiles on a regular basis.
As regards the nets, Damien hit the nail on the head, they are not everyone’s cup of tea, but bluntly, if you wish to reach the top stages of the awards, they are essential. Mobiles that may be going about their daily business cannot afford to stop in each square and call CQ! I have many friendships made from frequenting the WAB nets as, believe it or not, it’s not all hectic chasing, we just have a good chat when nothing is happening.
WAB is not the same as SOTA, nor should it be, I fully back any organisation that encourages activity and getting people “out there”. Whilst I’m deeply involved in WAB, both in an activity and admin role, I’ve fully backed what SOTA is doing and regret that there are not enough hours in the day for me to get fully involved. There are things that I’m not too keen of in respect of SOTA activations, but I will not air my opinions on a public forum and I’m sorry that Tom has seen fit to say things about WAB, rather than direct to the Committee. If I felt that strongly about something in SOTA, I would have directly contacted someone on the Management Team, rather than a forum.
As regards the up and coming WAB trig point award, all I can say is that from emails sent to me personally and from comments on the air, many people are looking forward to January 1st 2015.
A regular SOTA member posted a few weeks ago about the “synergy” between WAB and SOTA, posts such as this do little to perpetuate this and I’m sorry that Tom found it necessary to throw WAB into the mix when it wasn’t the subject of the original post.
73,
Dave, G4IAR
WAB Awards Manager