While checking out the ARRL Web Site, I for the first time stopped
to read the new General Rules For ARRL Contests. (These are also
printed in December 1997 QST, pages 100-104.) I was mostly looking
to see how they incorporated the changes in the Multi-Single (and
Multi-2) 10 minute rule in the DX contest, but also checked out the
rules for the upcoming VHF Sweepstakes. Much to my surprise I
discovered major changes in the new rules!
The "General Rules for ARRL Contests on bands above 50 MHz (VHF)"
include two changes which will have a major effect on my VHF
operation. The most recent VHF contest rules (for the September
1997 VHF QSO Party, printed on pages 101-102 of the August 1997
QST) defines Single Operator as simply "One person performs all
operating and logging functions." The changes in the new rules
prohibit spotting assistance (2.1.1) and permit only one
transmitted signal at any given time (2.1.2).
I use PacketCluster, although it is not of much value on VHF. Spots
of 2's working 1's aren't of much use in Ohio. Even closer spots
aren't worth much considering that antennas can turn faster that
cluster spots propagate. Its only practical contest use is for
seeing where Es spots are being reported and thereby deducing the
location of sporadic E clouds.
For me the big effect is the one signal rule. I routinely CQ on
both 6 and 2, using a voice keyer on the two meter rig. It digs up
a lot of qsos for me, and makes the slow times (i.e. most of the
contest) bearable. Unlike HF, where congestion is a major problem,
on VHF this makes more activity which benefits all involved.
The VHF rules also include a new rule, 1.2, that says "Individuals
and stations are limited to one entry per contest". Fortunately
this is not in the HF version, as it would make illegal my (HF) SS
Rover operations. But what purpose does this serve on VHF? Will
something bad happen if I go to a friend's house and pass out a few
qsos? As worded, it also appears to prohibit participation from
both one's home station and a separate multioperator effort.
There may be other effects lurking out there. If multioperator in
the HF Sweepstakes is classed as a multi-single, there is suddenly
a 10 minute rule (six band changes/hour) for multiops. As I read
rule 8.4.1.3, take in one visiting operator from outside your
club's 175 mile radius and your multiop score is not counted for
the Club Competition. Are there others?
I am amazed that rule changes of this magnitude have occurred with
no notice that changes were under consideration, that no input was
considered, and that changes were hidden in the fine print without
any other notice. Were these deliberate changes? Or just the
unintended consequences of sloppy editorial work done in an honest
attempt to reduce space used in QST for the repetitive publication
of rules which remain unchanged from contest to contest?
I suspect I will continue to operate the VHF contests in the same
manner as I have in the past. If someone decides to reclassify me
out of single operator, so be it. With WA8WZG and KE8FD in my
section, I'll stand to win more awards that way.
Jim Stahl K8MR
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Jim Stahl
InterNet: k8mr@barf80.nshore.org
Basic Amateur Radio Frequency, BARF-80 +1 (440) 237-8208
"Totally devoted to Amateur Radio" - 24 Hrs a day 8/N/1 28.8k-1200 baud
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