[UK-CONTEST] SSB Field Day '05

[Ian White G/GM3SEK]

Jim Balls wrote:
>I'm not so sure the UK contest activity would support a separate 
>section, but I do feel that the restricted section was created for 
>entry level competitors or clubs that do not want to spend thousands to 
>compete effectively

The basic problem is that any "restricted" section will always find 
itself being used in two very different ways:
1. By entry-level stations that don't have any ambitions to win
2. By stations that aim to win, and will (quite properly) exploit the 
contest-specific rules to the max.

Nobody wants to completely level the playing field with respect to 
equipment - part of the competition should always be to use the kit you 
have to the best advantage, within the rules.

But as we all know, the problem with the existing "one transceiver" rule 
is that it gives a marked advantage to groups that happen to have a 
dual-receive transceiver. It doesn't seem right that the contest rules 
create a playing field with such a specific "step" in it.

How about this as an alternative? The aim is to remove that artificial 
step, while also creating a different set of bumps, slopes... and 
opportunities.

"Both sections: one transmitter and up to two receivers: either one 
dual-receive transceiver; or one single-receive transceiver with one 
external receiver (which may be another single-receive transceiver with 
its transmitter section disabled for the duration of the contest).

Open section: no restrictions on what antennas may be connected to a 
second receiver, or how it may be done.

Restricted section: a second receiver must share the single allowed 
antenna."

This would remove the "step" by allowing Restricted entrants to use 
entry-level transceivers if that's all they have, but to connect a 
second receiver to an external RX output from the main transceiver if 
they wish. The important change is that they're not forbidden from 
closing the gap on the high-end transceivers if they want to.

The main blanket restriction would be having to share the single 
antenna, meaning that all Restricted stations would effectively be 
unable to use the 2nd RX while transmitting. But at the same time, this 
different rule would create a whole new range of opportunities for the 
ambitious.


(While the HFCC is at it, how about adding to the Restricted antenna 
rules: "Additional supports of no more than 3m height may be used for 
safety reasons." It meets an obvious practical need without 
significantly affecting antenna performance.)


-- 
73 from Ian G/GM3SEK