[CQ-Contest] Going Around in Circles: Improving Club Competition

[Eric Hilding]

Pete, N4ZR, wrote:

> This situation is a real administrative nightmare for large contest clubs
> that are attempting strict compliance with the rules.

Amen & Amen.  I applaud your anti-nightmare efforts so club circle administrators can also sleep better.

> What I am suggesting is that the major contest sponsors agree on a common
> definition of the club circle, to promote club participation in their contests.

A rational suggestion to be sure.

> A 300-km (186.4-mile) radius club area (circle) would be used for all
> contests with club competition (and for unlimited club competition, in ARRL parlance);
<snip>
> The circle most dramatically affected would see its radius grow by 50 Km.

Here's where it gets a bit tricky.  For the ARRL radius/circle, won't this tilt the scale in favor of clubs located in high-density ham population Regional areas vs. those with more mountain goat, cattle & sheep non-ham populated areas?  Hmmm.....

> If the property where a club member resides is entirely within the club
> circle, or if the circle passes through that property, then that member
> would be considered to reside within the club area;

"...or if the circle passes through that property..." would certainly eliminate the problem of part of a an antenna (or beverage) being inside the circle and the other part out in those "tight" situations.  This works for me.

Just my "2 cents" as Jim Neiger would say.

73...

Rick, K6VVA * The Locust