If you require a 1A station, in order to be competitive, to have a GOTA
station, a VHF station, and all that other bonus point stuff, there then
becomes no category for any groups of between 3 and maybe 8 operators.
Also, a "free" VHF station can a great regional effect on the competition.
If six is open from FL or TX or KS to the northeast, they can run qso
totals in the thousand range, which people in the northeast or CA will never
do.
If you want to have fun on VHF, something for newbies, etc., I suggest
doing what we've done of the past few years (not including this year, when one
of the stalwarts took off on vacation over FD):
Operate two 1-A stations. That's what we've done for the previous 3 or 4
years, using W8EDU and W3USA from the same site. We have two operating
tables, back to back, with separate rigs and separate computers, but share
antennas and operators. In our case we've tried to be serious with both, but
there is no reason you couldn't have one station for the serious guys, and the
other for those who are not.
And if the second station ends up being on half time, who will worry about
that?
And you get to work everybody else two times, which helps nicely in keeping
the rate up for 24 hours.
73 - Jim K8MR
In a message dated 6/27/2010 3:31:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
KI9A@aol.com writes:
Guys-
Who makes the rules for FD? is it the CAC?
Reason I'm asking this, is to try to find out why they removed the VHF
station from class 1A a few years ago.
Here are my thoughts on allowing 1A to regain the VHF station: Our club,
like many others is aging. Getting guys out to set up ( and operate) a
full
blown 2A station is really getting tough these days. In order to be
competitive ( we ALL like to do well! ), you need to set up 4 stations for
a 2A
effort. GOTA, VHF, and 2 HF. That takes a heck of a commitment.
You say, well, just do a 1A effort? Sure, then you have a folks getting
bored sitting around.
If the ARRL let the 1A class use either a GOTA, or a VHF station, that
would really increase participation, or, am I dreaming?
All in all, WHY did they remove it? Seems like a dumb idea to me!
73- Chuck KI9A
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|