[UK-CONTEST] Planning for 2004 ?

[colin.r.smith at baesystems.com]

-> Don, G3BJ wrote:
->
-> 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.

I have heard it said by many people in recent months that they just do not have
the time/energy to commit to a 24, 36 or 48hr contest.   Many (including me)
have also bemoaned the demise of the LF Cumulatives.  Why?  ....personally
because they were short, sharp and most of all family/work friendly!   There
may arguably have been too many of them (along with the AFS events) in such a
short period of time but the effort required to take part was minimal and not
too time consuming.

If changes are made to the contest calendar, as I agree they should be, please
don't forget those who are very limited in the amount of radio time they have
available.   How about some more 4, 6 or 12 hour events/sections?
Don't get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoy the big events such as ARRL, CQWW, and
IOTA.   They all deservedly have their place in the calendar but getting the
time to actually do them justice can be VERY difficult.   These big events will
always be available for those die-hards who like to be glued to a radio for a
day or more at a time.   All I'm saying is that some shorter events or event
sections may well mean more entries.   Is this why the AFS following is so
high?

My views on some of the other points raised so far are....

- RSGB events concurrent with the big one such as CQWW and ARRL an
  interesting idea but I'm not sure they would work.

- The World works the UK events are a non-starter.   Make it
  everyone works everyone.   Multipliers should be DXCC Countries and
  UK based multipliers for the DX stations and only DXCC Country mults
  for UK stations.   Obviously UK stations and DX would be in different
  sections.

This is certainly an interesting thread and I'd encourage everyone to add their
comments!

Regards
Colin (GM0CLN)