[UK-CONTEST] HF SSB Field day rules ..

[Jim Balls]

Hi Dave,

I didn't make the remarks to offend, or get the rules changed, just to get 
a response, and as I said previously, it worked.

As you said in a previous email :-
>This year in the Restricted section of NFD three of the top ten
>groups used single-RX radios (TS930 TS940 IC756).

Yep and I guess they were placed 8,9,10 out of 10 entries!

I honestly cant see me taking part next year if there isn't a more level 
playing field .. we may as well put our valuable time into something else, 
as I said before, the Amateur Radio is in decline, and I for one don't want 
to see it, as I have been involved in the training of foundation licensees 
I think I'm doing my bit to help the hobby, but how can we get more people 
involved in this contest when the rules are just simply not fair.
try explaining to a any amateur that has not been involved in contests that 
we are up against stations using 2 RX's and see what response you get .... 
so far all mine have been .. "well that isn't fair!"

Just carry on looking after those that have been contesting for many years 
and forget the new comer's ... mmmmm ... good for the sport!

As I said we have been in the HF SSB FD for about 6 years and have always 
been mid table, we enjoy the contest, and we make changes every year to try 
and make the station more competitive, within the rules, but buying a £1000 
+ radio I feel is just OTT and shouldn't bee needed at entry level.

and:-
>As Chris G3SJJ has pointed out, field days are multi-op
>contests and it makes sense for the rules to enable more than one
>team member at a time to take part in the process of operating.

Then allow a second RX, if a station is using a dual VFO radio then no 
external RX, but if they are using a single RX allow a second RX but only 
one antenna.

then:-
>So if we did make yet another change to the Restricted Section, the
>only way I feel it could go would be back to allowing two receivers.
>That would remove one of the distinctions between an open and a
>restricted section.


WHAT ... so running 1KW to 4/5/6/7 element yagis is no different to using 
100w and a single element multi-band antenna ????
I thought the difference between restricted and open was mainly power & 
antenna's   ....   I must be mistaken!
  I'm not asking for multiple RX's just the same amount of RX's ... it's simple

In restricted section you can use either
1 TX / Dual RX  "in one box" - 100W - One Single element antenna etc etc
or
1 TX/RX and separate RX - 100W - One Single element antenna etc etc

If the groups want to cheat, they will irrespective of the rules, I just 
want to have a fair field for a start, and if the HFCC suspect a group of 
cheating then they can always do something about it, after all they are 
checking the logs.

Now if the above rules were used I wonder how many groups with FT1000's or 
why  would change for a single / separate RX .. none I bet because of the 
added problems. but for those without such equipment they can at least 
improvise and use a second RX with one antenna .. at least the choice is there.

So please guy's at least have a good think about it and even discuss it as 
it seems most of the replies I've had either via the group or privately 
have agreed with me.

Thanks again for your response.

Kind Regards,

Jim M0CKE

At 12:05 PM 20/09/02 -0400, you wrote:
> >
> >Thanks for the reply, but it needed the "Snide Remark" to get you boys to
> >answer, I was actually beginning to wonder if any of the HFCC watched the
> >group, or even answered questions, you have confirmed this but it needed
> >some provoking!
>
>Jim
>
>You're mistaken if you think that making snide remarks will help
>to achieve your aims. That's not the sort of thing that the HFCC will
>respond positively to.
>
> >I understand what the HFCC has gone through and as you say it's difficult
> >to find a happy medium, but I still feel you could ban the use of 2nd RX's
>
> >in the restricted section.
>
>I really don't think we can. Ever since the introduction of the FT1000
>some groups have made use of both receivers. We can't just take
>that away, and if we did I feel there would be a drop in entry, not an
>increase. As Chris G3SJJ has pointed out, field days are multi-op
>contests and it makes sense for the rules to enable more than one
>team member at a time to take part in the process of operating.
>
>So if we did make yet another change to the Restricted Section, the
>only way I feel it could go would be back to allowing two receivers.
>That would remove one of the distinctions between an open and a
>restricted section. On the other hand the email from Mike G3VAO is
>arguing for removing the antenna restriction (in the case of the 21/28MHz
>contests I think) so that open and restricted sections can both use
>beams. There are always going to be conflicts of this sort when
>framing any set of rules.
>
>As I said in my previous email I would prefer to specify two receivers
>and leave it up to groups to decide whether to implement this using
>FT1000/TS950, or two separate single-RX rigs FT990/TS870/IC746 etc.
>Perhaps it's best to leave it to others to explain why they think this
>simple model is not such a good idea.
>
> >What happens if I put a TX/RX and a second RX in a big metal case with a
> >little electronics so it can use one antenna and call it the M0CKE Contest
>
> >Cheater .. is this then classed as a one box  single antenna single TX
>dual RX?
>
>If your group as a whole genuinely felt that the box you created was
>within the rules, i.e. it comprised "a transceiver" then that would be ok.
>
>73, Dave G4BUO
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