[CQ-Contest] Field Day Rules Change(s)

[Tod Olson]

The 'octopus' rule has a long history ‹ back into the early 60's.

In the W0AA Field Day adventure of 1970 we had three rigs and three
interlocking foot switches {think about that circuit] . Control was done by
shouting for the other guy to take his foot off his foot switch because he
was locking everyone else out! We had one 8 foot long table with all the
rigs on it and all the operators at it. We had one tri-band beam and a
couple of smaller receive antennas for when you did not have control. When
you had control --- you got the beam! Operation was in a 12' x 12' screen
tent ‹ overnight in MN is still 'brisk' June so that took special effort to
keep warm and keep operating.

Worked well at the time and we were pleased with our recorded final position
for our entry class.  <you will notice I am not referencing a "score">

However, never did it that way again!

Tod, K0TO


> 
> 
> On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 11:20 PM, K5WA <K5WA at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>>  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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>> 
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