[UK-CONTEST] The EURO (European Union Radio Open) - Long!

[Mike Farmer]

Extracts from Paul EURO Contest are

> Modes:     CW, SSB or Mixed.

Why not include all modes?


> Bands:     5 bands from 80m to 10m.

Why not include top band?


> To summarise, I see this as a high-rate contest in which European Union
entrants can work everyone,
> with no particular advantage accruing to any country, and where DX
(outside the European Union)
> can work European Union stations only.

I do not think operators outside of the continent of Europe would agree and
I feel that if this type of effort is to succeed then they must be included.
ie it needs to be a world wide contest.


> It's all very well coming up with a new set of rules, but nothing much
will happen (these days) if there's
> not software to support it - to recognise EU call areas and DX countries
and to track bonuses correctly.
>
> SD does this, and I've developed two country files, EURO.CTY and
EURODX.CTY, to track
> bonuses as defined above.  Should the RSGB adopt and promote this contest,
I'm prepared to make
> available a free version of SD for at least the first two years of the
event.

I suspect that Paul is correct but this approach is putting the cart before
the horse! (Hmm I have this software what can I use it for Ah! lets have a
contest)

My solution rests in piggy backing on the already well established contests
like the CQWW, CQWW160, ARRL DX, ARRL 10m. All that is needed is for the
RSGB to sponsor specific UK awards.

Advantages are that we could significantly reduce the size of the HFCC and
the associated costs. The endless debate on what makes a good UK contest
SHOULD be terminated and we could all get back to playing radio.


73 de Mike
G3VAO