[UK-CONTEST] Contest Calendar or Not

[Peter Hobbs]

Chris,

As you know I don't always agree with your views but, apart from the "yawn",
you're pretty much spot on on this occasion.

regards

Peter G3LET


> Having had time to read through the 2003 rules for RSGB HF Contests, I
have
> to say I am appalled at the lack of substantial change, in fact any
change,
> given the amount of discussion, which whilst negative at times, is
> nevertheless far more informative than at any time prior to the advantages
> of the Internet.
>
> Many experienced and inexperienced contesters have contributed over the
last
> two years and yet there has been no take-up of any of the potential
changes
> submitted. Contesting has a strong marketing aspect that can reap benefits
> for the RSGB, for the Amateur Radio population in general, for the UK in
> particular and for those interested in the competitive aspect of the
hobby.
> The minimum any change will do is to enable some form of marketing of that
> specific event or the wider portfolio.
>
> Instead what do we get, a tightening up of the log entry procedure with
all
> most compulsary use of SD. (Sorry Paul EI5DI, whilst I recognise the
> contribution you have and still do make, I don't think we should be held
to
> ransom to use a program that doesn't support Windows, Cluster or
Networking,
> when many of the events have a mult-operator content).
>
> I agree with many of the comments made by John G3LZQ, Brian G4ODV and Ivan
> G3IZD. Initially I went along with the idea of scrapping the LF
Cumulatives,
> possibly because having won the Trophy twice, I did not want to be seen to
> be supporting something for my own ends. Having listened to Ivan's (and
> others) strong defence, I would certainly support its re-introduction.
John
> LZQ makes a very valid point about band usage. I was really surprised that
> it wasn't re-introduced.
>
> I don't support re-introduction of 7MHz Contest because of the
> World-works-UK syndrome which is well past its sell by date, although
21/28
> MHz could just survive with inter-UK working and a combined multi-mode
> event. Likewise BERU.
>
> I have put forward some strong indicators as to why some kind of action
> needs to taken with the two Field Days.
>
> Both Clive GM3POI and myself have suggested starting the two 160 events an
> hour earlier, whilst I have suggested starting Club Calls an hour earlier.
>
> Several people have suggested making CW AFS 3 teams instead of 5.
>
> Some of these would have been easy changes to introduce yet could have
> produced some strong marketing actions.
>
> Someone made the comment about contests only rating if big and fast, (I
> guess BERU (yawn) is an anomaly here), I think there is some truth in
this.
> Club Calls is far more important to the hobby than the current declining
CW
> Field Day, yet HFCC refuse to give it any recognition. There is another
more
> sinister aspect which has worried me for a long time and that is a number
of
> the changes proposed would result in some leading stations having to
change
> their strategy based on past records and analysis. In other words, they
have
> a vested interest in not changing. This is no reason for resisting change
> and is detrimental to the hobby.
>
> HFCC have lost the plot and bottled out. Chris G3SJJ (past HFCC member and
> chair)
>
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