I completely agree with Steve. I also think it stifles the very creative
spirit of FD itself. FD has always been a place where a small group of us
gets together to try out new/different/crazy ideas that maximizes
communication from a small temporary footprint (a.k.a. emergency
preparedness). It is also the only place most of our team is ever going to
be able to try out "lock-out boxes" (we like PLCs), triplexers and logic
driven antenna switching schemes. Some of our group used to be active
contesters years ago and now simply want to dip their toes in occasionally
to try some of the ideas popping up in competitive stations.
Additionally, even the wording of this year's rules are badly written
because you can read the "using 2
transmitters that can transmit simultaneously" as totally incongruous with
the term "lock-out box" because properly linked transmitters NEVER transmit
simultaneously, however, I would rather the ARRL remove this new restriction
to creativity and keep FD as it has been rather than legislate the heck out
of a good event. Us crazy Texans down here are sitting in 105 degree heat
and 100 percent humidity to "enjoy" FD so why make a good time so messy with
this silly rule change. It isn't a contest, right, so why legislate it like
a contest?
73,
Bob K5WA
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