[UK-CONTEST] An Integrated UK Contest Policy

[Chris Burbanks]

I propose a new portfolio of HF Contests for the UK. The domestic contests can still be sponsored by RSGB HFCC, who would also be responsible for encouraging participation and providing UK results, analysis and guidance for those events sponsored by overseas societies.

January

AFS CW and SSB   Currently there is no need to change these.

CQWW160 CW       Use trophy awarded for winner of 1st 1.8MHz

February

ARRL CW and SSB legs. More trophies eg ex LF Cumulative/7MHZ DX

CQWW160 SSB. Well it has its following and is an SSB event

March

Commonwealth Contest   Whilst I totally agree with Ed, this event is popular overseas but I just don't understand the logic that limits the number of QSOs possible to UK stations to around 33% of  those outside the UK. I can't see it disappearing though.
At a rate 10 to 15 Qs per hour for 24 hours for a decent UK setup and think this is poor VFM.

WPX SSB

April      ROPOCO  1. Meets Ed's criteria. Encourages CW

May      CQWW WPX

July       IOTA

August   ROPOCO 2, as per ROPOCO 1

September  Field Day, combined SSB and CW event.

October

HF Convention, market this as one of the events. Big attraction, results, awards, presentations etc

CQWW SSB. Use 21/28 trophies and others

November

Club Calls.  Meets Ed's criteria, has record entries, good for newcomers

CQWW CW.  Use 2nd 1.8MHz contest trophy and others


December

ARRL 10m.  Could use a 28MHz trophy from 212/28.


The overall portfolio would be no bigger that the current number of RSGB HF Contests. We already have UK representatives for ARRL (G4BUO), CQWW (G3SXW), CQWW160 (GW3YDX), we would need someone to cover WPX, (GM3WOJ?).

Andy raised the point about HFCC getting flack. We should seek to minimise this. The changes proposed are to enable RSGB, HFCC and UK contesters to meet the changes and challenges of the 2000s. It is not HFCC's fault that the current programme of events are no longer suitable.

One further proposal I have would hopefully assist in this last matter. The formation of a small working group representing UK contesters, who would draw together a draft Integrated UK Contest Policy. This would then be presented to HFCC for them to change, ratify or whatever. In this way, the responsibility can be shared without HFCC being given an unfair mauling.

I would put forward G3SQX, G4PIQ and myself, (although I would understand and accept if my critics vetoed my input!)

Chris G3SJJ


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
---