[UK-CONTEST] UK contests.

[Jonathan G0DVJ]

On Friday, June 21, 2002, at 04:29  pm, G3SJJ wrote:

> I totally agree Dave and this is why I campaigned so much for a
> combined SSB and CW Field Day. This would serve the dual
> purpose of exposing the M3s to the benefits of field days and give
> us older hands the chance to show them competitive CW.

I am not sure I agree on this one - people need to have a certain 
interest in both radio and cw in order for exposure to cw to encourage 
them to learn it, and the same goes for cw contesting.   Combining field 
days is not a pre-requisite for this exposure - if they are interested 
enough then there are plenty of mixed mode contests in the calendar to 
allow such exposure.

> "All the way" ?   YES

Before I get accused of not wanting to encourage newcomers - I DO agree 
with this in that we should (and indeed in the groups I am involved 
with, HAVE) gone as far as possible to encourage our M3s and other 
contest newcomers of any prefix to get involved.

> I do hope the same amount of words are published in support of
> SSB Field Day as were dished out for CW Field Day !

CW FD and indeed CW AFS are well supported.  Lets hope that good words 
are published about all well-supported events.

As for the LF cumulatives etc.  I tend to agree with what Andy PIQ 
posted in regard to the need to have a variety of different contests 
available both long and short duration.  On HF I think there are 
probably enough long (24-48 hour) events already organised (ARRL, CQ, 
WAE, + RSGB IOTA, Commonwealth/Jubilee, & FDs etc.) - so maybe the 
vocation of RSGB HF contests should be directed at some short, evening 
based, but well publicised events that reward both G and DX (or at least 
Europe) contacts that will fit into the diaries of those of us who are 
busy but able to do a few hours from a small station at home with 
limited antennas and low power, hence QRP sections needed too.  Maybe a 
newcomers section could be added for those that have less than 2 years 
contesting experience.   I also know that the QRS corral in CW AFS does 
actually encourage a few of our members to bother participating in that 
one.  Certainly doing the RSGB Top Band contests from a willing club 
member's QTH last year provided not only practice at CW contesting for 
some G3s, G4s & M0s in our small group who otherwise wouldn't do 
contesting, but also a useful social occasion and learning opportunity.  
Just a pity that these are only Single Op events so our efforts had to 
be submitted as a checklog only.  Anyway these are just a few ideas to 
chew over!

Jonathan G0DVJ
--