Given the all the posting regarding this topic it is
clear that there is plenty of angst among the VHF
contester crowd. Perhaps it is time for a significant
rules overhaul for the ARRL VHF contests. The
following are some changes that I think should be
considered:
1. Distance based QSO point system, points to be
derived by using all 6 digits of the Maidenhead grid
square system. This will reward all Q's with a distant
difficult grid, not just the "one" to get the
multiplier. This will make real-time scoring more
difficult unless you are using computer logging,
however it won?t change the QSO and logging process
dramatically otherwise.
2. Band multipliers for each band, 6M = 1, 2M = 2,
222MHz = 3, 432MHz = 4, and so on. This would maintain
weighting to the higher bands, which might even make a
modest performance on a microwave band exceed a lower
bands score. This one is admittedly tricky for several
reasons: a) While it is desirable to promote the
microwave bands, you don?t want to however turn all
VHF contests into microwave only affairs either. b)
The 222 and 902 bands are a bit troublesome since
there is minimal commercial equipment; it may be
appropriate to match their band multiplier value with
432 and 1296 respectively.
3. Change the definition of Limited Multi Op from
number of bands to number of operators instead. This
is to encourage the small multi op groups to get on as
many bands as possible instead of focusing only on 4
best scoring like the rules now encourage. Set the max
number of operators to 4, maybe even only 3. After all
we don?t want too many of those good VHF contesting
ops hanging out at the handful of multi-op efforts.
4. Add Limited Single OP as some have already
suggested. Make this category be limited to submitting
scores for any 6 bands of the entrants choosing, allow
them to operate as many bands as they wish, but only
claim scores from any 6. When they submit their logs
the log checking program will then only total the 6
bands that the entrant designates. The other
non-claimed Q?s would be used for log checking
purposes. Why 6 instead of 4? To encourage effort on
bands beyond the ?easy 4? commercially available gear
bands.
5. Add a FM only category, this is solely to get more
of those FM operators infected with the VHF contesting
bug.
6. Make minor adjustments to the low power level
definitions to bring them into line with more of the
commercially available equipment. This is especially
true for bands 432MHz and below. LP power for 222 and
432 should be bumped up to 150W from 100W, this would
better match the ubiquitous brick amplifiers that are
out there. The bigger bricks however would still be in
the HP category as they should be.
7. Apply the QRP category (sub category?) to all
possible operating locations, home, portable, and
rover.
8. Quantify rules for WSJT (FSK441 and JT44) and any
other new modes like it that come along. These modes
should be encouraged but not at the expense of the
other traditional human ?brain/ear? modes like CW,
SSB, AM and FM.
9. Open the web based contest results reporting to all
web visitors, not just ARRL members, we want everyone
to have a chance to look at them, perhaps giving them
the itch to try VHF contesting themselves. With those
results locked down the way they are now many will
never see and analyze what can be done with VHF and
above.
10. Post the final results quicker, this may encourage
more of the part time and casual ops to actually
submit logs. To wait 7 to 10 months for results is
likely causing many to not bother sending in logs. And
I?m not convinced that posting results for the
previous contest just before the next is all that much
of a motivator anyhow.
The net effect of the distance scoring and multiple
multiplier on the exchange is to make the exchange
become something like: ?N9DG EN53BJ? instead of just
?N9DG EN53?. Yes it is a little more complicated, but
then that is the challenge, surely such an exchange
contains more meaningful information than trying to
use signal reports!!
These changes would completely change the look of the
final scores in the contest summary with some really
big numbers for scores being possible. However it
would also still be possible to do direct comparisons
of raw Q?s and Grid totals against every contest since
the early 80?s. This would give you a good way to
measure your own progress from year to year, all that
is really changing is the score presentation with a
new emphasis on distance, not just Q and grid totals.
Additionally it will create more incentive to work as
many really weak DX signals as possible; not just the
one needed to get that multiplier. As such it will
slightly change the character of VHF contesting such
that you will be motivated to be continually pushing
the weak signal limits of your station rather than
only trying to rack up lots of easy ?shooting fish in
a barrel? local/semi-local Q?s.
Duane
N9DG
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