[UK-CONTEST] Sections etc.

[Lee Volante]

Hi Mike, all.

> Over a period of time (before and post computer logging) I have commented
on
> the need for the Antenna restrictions and, as my contest station (100w to
a
> tribander and dipole) now has to compete against stations using the full
> legal limit (and some!!!!) I have given up taking part in contest which
> restrict antennas.

I'm sure there are many more guys with a single element at 20 feet or so
that would feel more  disadvantaged being in the same section as someone
with a tower and a gain antenna, even if both were running 100w.

A small proportion of amateurs in the UK have an HF beam and/or amplifier.
The majority of HF op's have 100w to a wire or vertical of some kind at low
height from a suburban location.  Doesn't it make sense to keep these 0 dBd
guys together, and anyone with 6 or 12 dB gain (generated from either end of
the coax run) should get to play in their own section ?  It's also more
likely that the people with beams are more likely to have amplifiers.

I'd guess at least 90% of organised contests have high power, low power and
QRP sections.  Perhaps our 'different' domestic rules offer the rare chance
for a different set of operators to shine, and also acknowledge the facts
about the average antenna systems in crowded old Blightly.

I think we're all agreed it's impossible to make a truly level playing
field.  The question is how to dice up the entrants most effectively.  Some
contests, especially VHF ones, have a large number of sections, sometimes
with only a very small number of entrants in each one.  More operators get
to show they're #1 in their class, but when there is so little competition
in that class, have we made it more fair, or actually reduced the incentive
to compete ?

If you got an asterisk against your name, and so could see you were leading
low power entrant in an "Open" section, even if placed 15th, would you be
more likely to operate then ?   Or is it the lure of seeing #1 against a
callsign ?

73,

Lee G0MTN