[UK-CONTEST] Planning for 2004 ?

[Don Beattie]

> Chris Tran wrote:
>
> > My own feeling is that the one-off Jubilee event seemed to attract quite
> > a good  number of entries, and that an 'RSGB' HF contest (similar to
last
> > weekend's PACC etc..) would be viable. Whether the Commonwealth
> > should be involved is open to debate.
>
I wonder if there is another way ?  Although the "everyone works the UK"
approach is attractive, it has drawbacks. Most significant (as we have seen
with 7Mhz contest, for example) is lack of support. The contests that really
fly and make big noise are the big "global" contests (ARRL, CQ, IARU etc).
But one reason that some do not enter these big events is the sheer
endurance of a 48 hour contest (yes, I know CQWPX is 36 hours single op, and
IARU only 24), and the fact that a "modest" G station is up against the best
in Europe/the world and it's tough to get good placings.

So this brings me to the point. Why does HFCC not run a "UK" contest within
each of these big tests. HFCC could set the ground rules (duration, power,
bands etc) provided these don't conflict with the main contest (e.g. don't
try to use SSB in CQWPX CW !). You could have a 24 hour event in CQWW, where
the listings are only UK stations. Entries could be optionally earmarked to
be forwarded from RSGB to the main contest organiser, so that one entry puts
you into two contest listings ! If it is a requirement that the times of a,
say, 24 hour contest need to be contiguous, then those who want to enter the
big contest could take the relevant  24 hours of their log for RSGB purposes
(there would need to be flexibility on where QSO number starts), and be
listed amongst all other UK entrants, and the whole log could go to CQ/ARRL
as appropriate for that contest.

Is this crazy, or could it:

a) Generate some real competitive activity volume from the UK inside the
envelope of the big contests ?
b) Encourage "little pistols" to have a go, and draw them into the big world
events ?
c) Even be saleable to the non-contesters as reducing the total number of
contests ?

73,

Don, G3BJ