[UK-CONTEST] RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest

[Steve Jones]

I agree with Steve's comments - this contest either needs to be killed
off or changed

I chose not to take part in either leg this year due to work and family
commitments coupled with the fact that conditions and activity levels
were so poor last year.  The first weekend in October is probably as
near to cqww as its possible to get without people like me with limited
time on their hands saying that cannot do both. In recent years I have
chosen to do the 21/28, rather than cqww, as it was just one day each
weekend and it counted towards the hf championship.  Conditions, and
limited time to compete properly for the championship, led to my
decision to do WAE ssb and CQWW this year.  As we go back up the cycle I
might be tempted back into 21/28 tests if the rules were changed to make
it a bit more interesting, like inter UK contacts and postcodes mults.
Otherwise kill it off, and have some trophies for uk entries in cqww and
wae ssb. 

73   

Steve GW0GEI


-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
steve at g3vmw.demon.co.uk
Sent: 18 October 2005 11:45
To: Uk-Contest at Contesting.Com
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest

I was active in the 21/28 CW contest from here in Cyprus over the
weekend and
sadly, it proved to be an almost dire experience.  Why?

Simply, the level of activity from G stations was very low, therefore my
incentive to remain active was very much reduced.  The WAG contest was
another major nuisance factor and in the end, I decided to work Germans
as well as any UK stations I could find.  The ratio of DL to G stations
was about 20 to 1, which must give a clue.

I can only suggest that it is time to consider some changes to the
contest to
give people the incentive to be active.  The most obvious change I can
suggest is to combine the SSB and CW legs of this event for the first
weekend in October, i.e what is now just the SSB leg.  There appear to
be few other contents going on during this weekend, particularly on CW.
There could be awards or trophies for SSB, CW and Mixed as well as for
Overseas entrants.
The impact on the rest of the amateur radio world, i.e. the
non-combatants is minimal since this contest covers only 21 and 28 MHz.


However, more needs to be done to provide an incentive for people to
make the effort to work G stations.  For example, if everyone worked
everyone, with extra points and multipliers for working UK postcodes and
countries, I think the activity levels would reach levels to make the
contest worth entering.  In addition, I would suggest that Gs be allowed
to work other Gs for points to help keep things moving along.  I heard
several G stations calling CQ for long periods of time with absolutely
no replies.  Even the most hardened contester must find that very
discouraging?

In the end, if nothing is done then I feel this contest will go the same
way as the 7MHz DX contest because of lack of interest.  Maybe the
answer is to pension the contest off, but I feel that would be a very
poor way to deal with the problem.

Just my 2c worth!

Steve G3VMW 
(5B/G3VMW until tomorrow)     

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