[TOEC] SAC CW SM5MX SOAB LP

[Rolf Salme, SM5MX]

                                        Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW

Call: SM5MX
Operator(s): SM5MX
Station: SM5MX

Class: SOAB LP
QTH: Tyresö
Operating Time  (hrs): 22

Summary:
 Band     QSOs    Mults
-------------------------------
     80:       184          30
     40:       211          32
     20:       245          40
     15:         57          27
     10:         14            8
-------------------------------
Total:        711         137   Total   Score = 204,541

Rig: TS-850

Ant: 2 x 10 m dipole w open feeder

S/W: TR4W v.4.233

Comments:

It is probably common wisdom that by adding new categories for
participation, organizers can enhance the attraction of a certain
contest; hence,  the introduction of i.a. the "Tribander & Wires"
category in the LP Section of this year's SAC was a welcome move.

Originally, I presume that the intention behind the "TB  & Wires"
section was to offer LP enthusiasts without acess to all-band monster
antenna installations a chance to compete, shine and enjoy. Albeit
the good intentions, though, I cannot fully appreciate the "TB & Wire"
concept on the one hand vs. fields packed with stacked monobanders,
4-squares and the like on the other.

IMHO, besides HP vs. LP, the Grand-Canyon-like divide in contests
runs between Beam Antennas and No Beam Antennas, i.e. those who use
beams and those who do not. Hence, I cannot truly fathom where the
category "Triband and Wires" fits in. AMOF, "TB & Wires" is probably
the most common type of contest setup in Europe, provided that you 
can install a beam at all.

Thus, I think that a more relevant division of the LP category 
should simply be "LP & Beam(s)" and "LP & No Beam(s). Yes, I do 
know that the "TB & Wires" is a well established concept in the
CQ WW Contest i.a. However, this does not automatically exclude 
the possibility that the idea was irrelevant already from the
start - at least in Europe.

The proud owner of a 2 x 10 m dipole with an open feeder for an 
allband antenna, I decided to enter my SAC score this time in 
the ordinary Multi-Band Low Power category. Perhaps simply to 
stay clear of the competition from the fortunate guys with Tri-
Banders on the higher bands.

73,
Rolf
SM5MX